Management of women with abnormal uterine bleeding: Clinical practice guidelines of the French National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF)

OBJECTIVE

To provide French guidelines for the management of women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 26 experts was formed. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the beginning of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any industry funding (i.e. pharmaceutical or medical device companies). The authors were advised to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasized.

METHODS

The last guidelines from the Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français on the management of women with AUB were published in 2008. The literature seems now sufficient for an update. The committee studied questions within 7 fields (diagnosis; adolescents; idiopathic AUB; endometrial hyperplasia and polyps; type 0-2 fibroids; type 3 or higher fibroids; and adenomyosis). Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and evidence profiles were compiled. The GRADE® methodology was applied to the literature review and the formulation of recommendations.

RESULTS

The experts' synthesis work and the application of the GRADE method resulted in 36 recommendations. Among the formalized recommendations, 19 are strong and 17 weak. No response was found in the literature for 14 questions. We chose to abstain from recommendations rather than providing advice based solely on expert clinical experience.

CONCLUSIONS

The 36 recommendations make it possible to specify the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for various clinical situations practitioners encounter, from the simplest to the most complex.

Management of postmenopausal women: Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF) and Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement (GEMVi) Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The aim of these recommendations is to set forth an individualized approach to the management of early postmenopausal women (i.e., within the first 10 years after natural menopause) covering all aspects of lifestyle and therapeutic management, with or without menopause hormone therapy (MHT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature review and consensus of French expert opinion. Recommendations were graded according to the HAS methodology and levels of evidence derived from the international literature, except when there was no good-quality evidence.

SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS

The beginning of menopause is an ideal time for each woman to evaluate her health status by assessing her bone, cardiovascular, and cancer-related risk factors that may be amplified by postmenopausal estrogen deficiency and by reviewing her lifestyle habits. Improving lifestyle, including nutrition and physical activity, and avoiding risk factors (notably smoking), should be recommended to all women. MHT remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms but it could be also recommended as first-line treatment for the prevention of osteoporosis in early postmenopausal women at low to moderate risk for fracture. The risks of MHT differ depending on its type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is used. There is reasonable evidence that using transdermal estradiol in association with micronized progesterone or dydrogesterone may limit both the venous thromboembolic risk associated with oral estrogens and the risk of breast cancer associated with synthetic progestins. Treatment should be individualized to each woman, by using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation of its benefit-risk balance. For bothersome genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms, vaginal treatment with lubricants and moisturizers is recommended as first-line treatment together with low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy, depending on the clinical course. No recommendation of an optimal duration of MHT can be made, but it must take into consideration the initial indication for MHT as well as each woman's benefit-risk balance. Management of gynecological side-effects of MHT is also examined. These recommendations are endorsed by the Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement hormonal (GEMVI) and the Collège National des Gynécologues-Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF).

[Management of women with abnormal uterine bleeding: Clinical practice guidelines of the French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF)]

OBJECTIVE

To provide French guidelines for the management of women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 26 experts was formed. A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the beginning of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any industrial funding (i.e. pharmaceutical, or medical devices). The authors were advised to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasized.

METHODS

The last guidelines from the Collège national des gynécologues et obstétriciens français (CNGOF) on the management of women with AUB was published in 2008. The literature seems now sufficient for an update. The committee studied questions within 7 fields (diagnosis; adolescent; idiopathic AUB; endometrial hyperplasia and polyps; fibroids type 0 to 2; fibroids type 3 and more; adenomyosis). Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and the evidence profiles were produced. The literature review and recommendations were made according to the GRADE® methodology.

RESULTS

The experts' synthesis work and the application of the GRADE method resulted in 36 recommendations. Among the formalized recommendations, 19 present a strong agreement and 17 a weak agreement. Fourteen questions did not find any response in the literature. We preferred to abstain from recommending instead of providing expert advice.

CONCLUSIONS

The 36 recommendations made it possible to specify the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of various clinical situations managed by the practitioner, from the simplest to the most complex.

Surgical techniques for the removal of Essure® microinserts: a literature review on current practice

PURPOSE

To evaluate the different techniques for Essure^® microinserts removal and to assess the risk of fracture of the device and the intra- and post-operative complications in relation to surgical technique variants.

METHODS

Electronic search in Medline, Scopus and Embase databases using the following keywords: Essure; Essure removal; Essure surgical technique.

RESULTS

Out of 95 articles in the initial database, 17 studies were eligible for inclusion in our literature review. Several surgical techniques have been described in which the most frequent were laparoscopic salpingectomy (LS), laparoscopic cornuectomy (LC), laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy (LH, VH) with en-bloc salpingectomy. There were more fractures of the device with the LS procedure (6.25%) followed by the LC technique (2.77%), while there was no fracture with hysterectomy. However, peri-and post-operative complications were more severe and frequent with hysterectomy in comparison with the LC and LS procedures (respectively 8.1% Clavien Dindo grade 3 for the hysterectomy group, 1.11% for the LC procedure and 0.69% for the LS technique).

CONCLUSION

Due to the lack of standardised surgical treatment guidelines, a system of care networks for symptomatic patients with adverse effects related to Essure^® headed by specialised centres may offer a suitable and high-quality management with the appropriate removal techniques within two objectives: limiting the risk of fracture (with an en-bloc removal of the Essure^® microinserts) and avoiding intra- and post-operative complications.

Management of borderline ovarian tumours during pregnancy: Results of a French multi-centre study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic and prognostic characteristics of borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) detected during pregnancy, and to establish an inventory of French practices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective multi-centre case study of 14 patients treated for BOTs, diagnosed during pregnancy between 2005 and 2017, in five French pelvic cancerology expert centres, including data on clinical characteristics, histological tumour characteristics, surgical procedure, adjuvant treatments, follow-up and fertility.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 29.3 [standard deviation (SD) 6.2] years. Most BOTs were diagnosed on ultrasonography in the first trimester (85.7 %), and most of these cases (78.5 %) also underwent magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the diagnosis (true positives 54.5 %). Most patients underwent surgery during pregnancy (57 %), with complete staging surgery in two cases (14.3 %). Laparoscopy was performed more frequently than other procedures (50 %), and unilateral adnexectomy was more common than cystectomy (57.5 %). Tumour size influenced the surgical approach significantly (mean size 7.5 cm for laparoscopy, 11.9 cm for laparoconversion, 14 cm for primary laparotomy; P = 0.08), but the type of resection did not. Most patients were initially diagnosed with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA (92.8 %) tumours, but many were upstaged after complete restaging surgery (57.1 %). Most BOTs were serous (50 %), two cases had a micropapillary component (28.5 %), and one case had a micro-invasive implant. BOTs were bilateral in two cases (14.2 %). Mean follow-up was 31.4 (SD 14.8) months. Recurrent lesions occurred in two patients (14.2 %) and no deaths have been recorded to date among the study population.

CONCLUSION

BOTs remain rare, but this study - despite its small sample size - supports the hypothesis that BOTs during pregnancy have potentially aggressive characteristics.

Risk factors for recurrence of borderline ovarian tumors in France: A multicenter retrospective study by the FRANCOGYN group

INTRODUCTION

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) although rare, have shown an increase in the incidence worldwide. Although the survival rate is high, the recurrence rate is estimated to be between 5% and 34%. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for recurrence of BOTs.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included 493 patients treated surgically for BOT between January 2001 and December 2018.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients showed recurrence (group R, 7.5%), while 456 did not (group NR, 92.5%). With an average follow-up of 30.5 months (1-276), the overall recurrence rate was 7.5%. Recurrence rates for the BOT and invasive types were 5.7% (n = 28) and 1.4% (n = 7), respectively. The mean time to recurrence was 44.1 (3-251) months. Univariate analysis showed that age at diagnosis, type of surgical procedure, histological type, and FIGO stage were factors influencing recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for recurrence of BOT were conservative treatment (OR = 7 [95% CI 3.01-16.23]; p < 0.05) and advanced FIGO stage (OR = 5.86 [95% CI 2.21-15.5]; p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

To the best of our knowledge, this multicenter study was one of the largest studies on the risk factors for BOT recurrence. Conservative treatment and advanced FIGO stage were identified as risk factors for BOT recurrence. These results reinforce the need for restaging of patients who did not have an optimal initial surgical staging so as not to avoid missing a tumor in the advanced stage. Referral to a surgical oncology center is suggested to optimize overall patient management.

Influence of the external cephalic version attempt on the Cesarean section rate: experience of a type 3 maternity hospital in France

PURPOSE

To define the effects of attempted external cephalic version (ECV) in a low-risk population for breech delivery in a maternity hospital where breech vaginal delivery is widely practiced.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective exposed-unexposed study including 204 patients presented with a live singleton fetus breech presentation on third-trimester ultrasound and who delivered at Reims University Hospital between January 1st, 2013 and July 1st, 2018.

RESULTS

121 patients received ECV. Cesarean section rate was lower (OR with no adjustment 0.42 [0.24-0.76] p = 0.004) but without significant difference in the exposed patients after adjustment. This difference was significant between exposed and unexposed patients in the subgroup of 51 primiparous (OR = 0.14 [0.04-0.52] p = 0.002) and 51 multiparous (OR = 0.26 [0.08-0.89] p = 0.028) but not in the subgroup of 102 nulliparous. There was no difference in fetal impact other than neonatal management in the delivery room, which is less needed in exposed primiparous women. Attempted ECV significantly decreased the breech rate (72.5 vs 100%, p < 0.001). There were 7 (5.79%) complications. Three factors favored success: high uterine height (p = 0.011), a non-elevated BMI (p = 0.006) and an earlier term at ECV (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The attempt of ECV in the Reims University Hospital does not significantly reduce the Cesarean section rate and has no effect on neonatal status.

Prognostic Value and Risk Factors of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Recurrence for Patients with Endometrial Cancer: A Multicenter Study from the FRANCOGYN Group

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for patients with endometrial cancer (EC) peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) recurrence has received little study. This study aimed to determine specific risk factors and prognosis of EC with PC recurrence (PCR) versus no PC recurrence (NPCR).

METHODS

Data of all patients with EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2000 and February 2017 were abstracted from the French FRANCOGYN Research Group database. Clinical and pathologic variables were compared between the two groups (PCR vs. NPCR). Multivariate analysis was performed to define prognostic factors for peritoneal recurrence. Overall survivals (OS) of patients after recurrence were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The study analyzed 1466 patients, and 257 of these patients (17.5%) had recurrence. At presentation, 63 of these patients had PC. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages 3 and 4 disease were significantly associated with PCR versus NPCR (odds ratio 2.24; 95% confidence interval 1.23-4.07; p = 0.008). The death rate for the patients with PC was 47.6%, with a median survival of 12 months after diagnosis of recurrence. According to the histologic subtype, OS was 29 months (Q1-Q3, 13-NA) for endometrioid carcinomas, 7.5 months (Q1-Q3, 4-15) for serous carcinomas, and 10 months (Q1-Q3, 5-15) for clear cell carcinomas. Chemotherapy for treatment of PCR was associated with improved OS after recurrence (OSAR; p = 0.0025).

CONCLUSION

An initial advanced stage of EC is a risk factor for PCR. For women with PCR, a diagnosis of type 1 EC recurrence more than 12 months after the initial treatment and management of PCR with chemotherapy is associated with improved OSAR. Prospective studies are needed to determine the precise optimal management required in this clinical situation and to assess the relevance of biomarkers to predict the risk of PCR for EC patients.

[Prognostic significance of groin lymph node ratio in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to review the clinical impact of lymph node ratio (LNR) of groin metastatic nodal disease in women with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cohort study of women with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma, managed between January 2005 and December 2015, in five institutions in France with prospectively maintained databases (French multicenter tertiary care centers).

POPULATION

In total, 636 women managed for VSCC of whom 508 (79.9%) underwent surgical groin nodal staging.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of overall and recurrence free survival between women according to LNR.

RESULTS

In total, 176 women (34.6%) had at least one positive lymph node (LN). There was a significant differences for the 5-year overall survival and recurrence free survival rates between women with LNR>0.2 and women with LNR<0.2.

CONCLUSION

LNR seems to be a significant prognostic factor in women with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

[Guidelines for surgical management of gynaecological cancer during pandemic COVID-19 period - FRANCOGYN group for the CNGOF]

INTRODUCTION

Recommendations for the management of patients with gynecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Recommendations based on the consensus conference model.

RESULTS

In the case of a COVID-19 positive patient, surgical management should be postponed for at least 15 days. For cervical cancer, the place of surgery must be re-evaluated in relation to radiotherapy and Radio-Chemotherapy-Concomitant and the value of lymph node staging surgeries must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For advanced ovarian cancers, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy should be favored even if primary cytoreduction surgery could be envisaged. It is lawful not to offer hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy during a COVID-19 pandemic. In the case of patients who must undergo interval surgery, it is possible to continue the chemotherapy and to offer surgery after 6 cycles of chemotherapy. For early stage endometrial cancer, in case of low and intermediate preoperative ESMO risk, hysterectomy with bilateral annexectomy associated with a sentinel lymph node procedure should be favored. It is possible to consider postponing surgery for 1 to 2 months in low-risk endometrial cancers (FIGO Ia stage on MRI and grade 1-2 endometrioid cancer on endometrial biopsy). For high ESMO risk, it ispossible to favor the MSKCC algorithm (combining PET-CT and sentinel lymph node biopsy) in order to omit pelvic and lumbar-aortic lymphadenectomies.

CONCLUSION

During COVID-19 pandemic, patients suffering from cancer should not lose life chance, while limiting the risks associated with the virus.

Gynecology-obstetric resident surgery training: a national evaluation

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study was to evaluate surgery training and evaluation of French gynecology-obstetrics residents. The second objective was to evaluate using simulation during residency.

STUDY DESIGN

This national descriptive study, utilized a questionnaire to survey all interns in French gynecology and obstetrics. At the end of a study, 129 responses of residents were analyzed.

RESULTS

The participation rate was 12%. The majority of residents were women (84%) and the highest response rate was from the Ile-de-France region (36%). The lowest rate was from the Southern region. The majority of residents were in the eighth semester (20%). Residents reported surgical and obstetric orientations in 53% (n = 68) and 44% (n = 57) of cases, respectively. Registration for cancer oncology was reported by 22% (n = 28) of respondents. Evaluation of oncologic surgery training was mostly considered "good" by the surgical group and "passable" by the obstetrics group. Access to simulators was usually restricted and most often utilized the pelvitrainer. Sessions were typically not mandatory and numbered between zero and five per semester. Three types of simulators were accessible in the Ile-de-France, North-West, West and Rhône-Alpes. The North-East did not have access to animal models, and the South-West did not have access to corpses. Surgical classes were more common in the Rhône-Alpes, North-East, Ile-de-France and North-West regions. To improve their training in oncological surgery, 64% (n = 18) of residents planned to do an inter-university exchange and 54% had completed additional specialized training. Measures that were most expected to improve training were increased training in surgery (96% of respondents, n = 27) and more intensive coaching (96%, n = 27).

CONCLUSIONS

Companionship is a pillar of residents training, but its effectiveness is variable. One solution could be to implement better use of simulation methods.

Surgical treatment of vulvar cancer: Impact of tumor-free margin distance on recurrence and survival. A multicentre cohort analysis from the francogyn study group

OBJECTIVE

In vulvar cancer, it is admitted that tumor-free margin distance is one of the most important element for locoregional control. It is currently recommended to surgically remove the tumor with at least an 8 mm tumor-free margin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of tumor-free margin distance on recurrence and survival in vulvar cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From 2005 to 2016, 112 patients surgically treated for a vulvar squamous cell cancer were included in a retrospective multicenter study. Overall, disease-free and metastasis-free survivals were analyzed according to tumor-free margin distance.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (margin <3 mm, n = 47); group 2 (margin ≥3 mm to < 8 mm, n = 48) and group 3 (margin ≥8 mm, n = 17). During the study, 26,8% patients developed recurrence (n = 30) after a median of 8 months (1-69). Analysis of 5-year overall survival, as well as disease-free and metastasis-free survivals, did not reveal a difference between groups. We performed a subgroup analysis in patients with a tumor-free margin <8 mm (group 1 and 2). It showed that histological lesions observed closest to the edge of the specimen were more often invasive or in situ carcinoma lesions in group 1 than in group 2, in which VIN lesions were mainly observed at this location. After re-excision, no patients in group 1 and 50% (n = 2) patients in group 2 developed recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This study did not reveal a significant impact of tumor-free margin distance on recurrence and survival in vulvar cancer. Moreover, the benefit of re-excision seems stronger when tumor-free margins are positive or very close (<3 mm), cases in which invasive or in situ lesions are often present closest to the edge of the specimen.

[Management of tubo-ovarian abscesses and complicated pelvic inflammatory disease: CNGOF and SPILF Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases Guidelines]

A tubo-ovarian abscess (ATO) should be suspected in a context of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in case of severe pain associated with the presence of general signs and palpation of an adnexal mass at pelvic examination. Imaging allows most often a rapid diagnosis, by ultrasound or CT, the latter being irradiant but also allowing to consider the differential diagnoses (digestive or urinary diseases) in case of pelvic pain. MRI, non-irradiating examination, whenever it is feasible, provides relevant information, more efficient, guiding quickly the diagnosis. The diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess should lead to the hospitalization of the patient, the collection of bacteriological samples, the initiation of a probabilistic antibiotherapy associated with drainage of the purulent collection. In severe septic forms (generalized peritonitis, septic shock), surgery (laparoscopy or laparotomy) keeps its place. In other situations, ultrasound-guided trans-vaginal puncture in the absence of major hemostasis disorders or severe sepsis is a less morbid alternative to surgery and provides high rates of cure. Today, ultrasound-guided trans-vaginal puncture has been satisfactory evaluated in the literature and is part of a logic of therapeutic de-escalation. Randomized trials evaluating laparoscopic drainage versus radiological drainage should be able to answer, in the coming years, questions that are still outstanding (impact on chronic pelvic pain, fertility). The recommendations for the management of ATO published in 2012 by the CNGOF remain valid, legitimizing the place of radiological drainage associated with antibiotic therapy.

[Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases: Updated Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Short version]

OBJECTIVES

To provide up-to-date guidelines on management of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

METHODS

An initial search of the Cochrane database, PubMed, and Embase was performed using keywords related to PID to identify reports in any language published between January 1990 and January 2012, with an update in 2018. All identified reports published in French and English relevant to the areas of focus were included. A level of evidence based on the quality of the data available was applied for each area of focus and used for the guidelines.

RESULTS

PID must be suspected when spontaneous pelvic pain is associated with induced adnexal or uterine pain (grade B). Pelvic ultrasonography is necessary to exclude tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) (grade C). Microbiological diagnosis requires endocervical and TOA sampling for molecular and bacteriological analysis (grade B). First-line treatment for uncomplicated PID combines ceftriaxone 1g, once, by intra-muscular (IM) or intra-venous (IV) route, doxycycline 100mg×2/d, and metronidazole 500mg×2/d oral (PO) for 10 days (grade A). First-line treatment for complicated PID combines IV ceftriaxone 1 to 2g/d until clinical improvement, doxycycline 100mg×2/d, IV or PO, and metronidazole 500mg×3/d, IV or PO for 14days (grade B). Drainage of TOA is indicated if the collection measures more than 3cm (grade B). Follow-up is required in women with sexually transmitted infections (STI) (grade C). The use of condoms is recommended (grade B). Vaginal sampling for microbiological diagnosis is recommended 3 to 6months after PID (grade C), before the insertion of an intra-uterine device (grade B), before elective termination of pregnancy or hysterosalpingography. Targeted antibiotics on identified bacteria are better than systematic antibioprophylaxis in those conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Current management of PID requires easily reproducible investigations and antibiotics adapted to STI and vaginal microbiota.

[Follow-up and counselling after pelvic inflammatory disease: CNGOF and SPILF Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases Guidelines]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the procedures for follow-up and counselling of patients after pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

METHODS

A search in the Cochrane database, PubMed, and Google was performed using keywords related to follow-up and PID to identify reports published between 1990 and 2018. All studies published in French and English relevant to the areas of focus were included. A level of evidence (LE) based on the quality of the data available was applied for each area of focus and used for the guidelines.

RESULTS

The rate of recurrent PID is 15 to 21%. They are related to a recurrent sexually transmitted infection (STI) in 20 to 34% of cases. Recurrence PID increase the risk of infertility and chronic pelvic pain (LE2). Follow-up is recommended after PID (grade C). The rate of patients lost to follow-up is around 40%. Follow-up is improved by personalized text message reminders (grade B). Vaginal sampling for detection of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, (and M. genitalium) by nucleic acid amplification techniques is recommended 3 to 6 months after treatment of PID associated with STI to rule out possible reinfections (grade C). The use of condoms after PID associated with STI is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrences (grade C). The systematic use of contraceptive pills after PID is not recommended to prevent subsequent infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Vaginal sampling for microbiological diagnosis is recommended before the insertion of an intrauterine device (grade B). The risk of ectopic pregnancy is high in these women and must be kept in mind.

CONCLUSION

Patient counselling and microbiological testing after PID decrease the risk of STI and thus the recurrence of PID.

The definition of Endometriosis Expert Centres

Endometriosis is a common condition that causes pain and infertility. It can lead to absenteeism and also to multiple surgeries with a consequent risk of impaired fertility, and constitutes a major public health cost. Despite the existence of numerous national and international guidelines, the management of endometriosis remains suboptimal. To address this issue, the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) and the Society of Gynaecological and Pelvic Surgery (SCGP) convened a committee of experts tasked with defining the criteria for establishing a system of care networks, headed by Expert Centres, covering all of mainland France and its overseas territories. This document sets out the criteria for the designation of Expert Centres. It will serve as a guide for the authorities concerned, to ensure that the means are provided to adequately manage patients with endometriosis.

[Definition of endometriosis expert centres]

OBJECTIVES

The Collège national des gynécologues obstétriciens français (CNGOF), in agreement with the Société de chirurgie gynécologique et pelvienne (SCGP), has set up a commission in 2017 to define endometriosis expert centres, with the aim of optimizing endometriosis care in France.

METHODS

The committee included members from university and general hospitals as well as private facilities, representing medical, surgical and radiological aspects of endometriosis care. Opinion of endometriosis patients' associations was obtained prior to writing this work. The final text was presented and unanimously validated by the members of the CNGOF Board of Directors at its meeting of October 13, 2017.

RESULTS

Based on analysis of current management of endometriosis and the last ten years opportunities in France, the committee has been able to define the contours of endometriosis expert centres. The objectives, production specifications, mode of operation, missions and funding for these centres were described. The following missions have been specifically defined: territorial organization, global and referral care, communication and teaching as well as research and evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Because of its daily impact for women and its economic burden in France, endometriosis justifies launching of expert centres throughout the country with formal accreditation by health authorities, ideally as part of the National Health Plan.

Patterns of care and the survival of elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer: A case-control study from the FRANCOGYN group

BACKGROUND

The standard of care of endometrial cancer involves complex procedures such as pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and omentectomy, particularly for high-risk endometrial cancer. Few data are available about these complex surgical procedures and adjuvant therapy in elderly women. We aim to examine treatment and survival of elderly women diagnosed with high-risk endometrial cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a case-control study of women diagnosed between 2001 and 2013 with high-risk endometrial cancers. Women older than 70 years (n = 198) were compared with patients <70 years (n = 198) after matching on high-risk for recurrence and LVSI status.

RESULTS

Elderly patients had lymphadenectomies less frequently compared with younger patients (76% vs 96%, p < 0.001) and no adjuvant treatment more frequently (17% vs 8%, p = 0.005) due to less chemotherapy being administered (23% vs 46%, p < 0.001). The 3-year DFS, CSS and OS of patients ≥70 years was 52% (43-61), 81% (74-88) and 61% (53-70), respectively. These were significantly lower than the 3-year DFS, CSS, and OS of younger patients, which was 75% (68-82) (p < 0.001), 92% (87-96) (p < 0.008) and 75% (69-82) (p = 0.018), respectively. Cox proportional hazard models found that elderly women had 57% increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.04-2.39) compared with younger patients.

CONCLUSION

Although we found an independently significant lower DFS in elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer when compared with young patients, elderly women are less likely to be treated with lymphadenectomy and chemotherapy. Specific guidelines for management of elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer are required to improve their prognosis.

[French residents' training in instrumental deliveries: A national survey]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate French residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology's training in instrumental deliveries in 2015.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a national descriptive survey among 758 residents between December 2014 and January 2015. Respondents were invited by email to specify their University Hospital, their current university term, the number of instrumental deliveries performed by vacuum extractor, forceps or spatulas, and whether they made systematic ultrasound exams before performing the extraction.

RESULTS

Response rate was 34.7 % (n=263). There were important differences between regions in terms of type of instruments used. Vacuum extractor was the most commonly used instrument for instrumental deliveries by French residents (56.9 %), more than forceps (25.2 %) and spatulas (17.9 %). At the end of the residency, all the residents had been trained in instrumental deliveries with at least two instruments.

CONCLUSION

The training of difficult techniques as well as their perfect control is required for instrumental deliveries. Yet, we are forced to note that there are substantial differences in the French residents' training in instrumental deliveries depending on their region. So, teaching at least two techniques seems essential as well as improving the training capacities and standardizing practices. A greater systematization of the teaching of the mechanics and obstetric techniques might be a solution to be considered too.

[Thyroid function for infertile women during ovarian hyperstimulation as part of IVF]

OBJECTIVES

Optimal thyroid function is necessary for an effective fertility. Many authors have suggested that thyroid function has an impact on IVF outcome. Conversely, IVF has been suggested to induce changes in thyroid function. The aim of this study was to determine the nature and the timing of alterations in thyroid function, throughout controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, from the beginning of therapy to the day of triggering ovulation. And make a clarification of the current recommendations of the thyroid function during hormonal stimulation.

METHODS

Subjects were recruited from March 2013 to July 2013 at the Hospital of the University of Reims. The studied population consisted of 50 infertile patients who had undergone IVF/ICSI cycles. Thyroid axis exploration was realized before therapy and at every hormonal dosage during ovarian monitorage.

RESULTS

Prematuary fluctuations were observed without impact on pregnancy rate. We could detect potential hypothyroid women thanks to this dosage and define a connection between pregnancy rate and TSH with a threshold closer to 1mUI/L than 2,5mUI/L defined by the endocrine society.

CONCLUSIONS

The link between thyroid function, forecast of conception and pregnancy is well documented. Currently, there is no recommendation on the rate of TSH targets for the patients in medical assisted procreation.

[Training achieves an internal version and a total breech extraction at birth of second twin]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate French residents in obstetrics and gynaecology's training to internal version and breech extraction during vaginal delivery of the second twin.

METHODS

A national descriptive survey conducted among 1064 residents between July and October 2014. Respondents were invited by email to specify the type of theoretical and practical training they had received, their university hospital obstetrical practices and the number of vaginal internal version and breech extraction of the second twin they had seen and performed.

RESULTS

Response rate was 38.7% (n=412). Regarding the type of theoretical training, 39.8% of residents (n=164) had received the obstetrical mechanics and techniques degree; 47.6% (n=196) had got a teaching during special education classes and 29.4% (n=121) a training on mannequin. There were important differences between regions. At the end of residency, 45.6% of residents (n=36) had practiced more than five vaginal internal version and breech extraction of the second twin.

CONCLUSION

Internal version and breech extraction are difficult but essential maneuvers for the management of twin delivery. The French residents in obstetrics and gynaecology's training for these maneuvers seems to be insufficient. It is necessary to improve their teaching, this teaching must also be equivalent between regions.

[Relevance of the sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast multifocal and multicentric cancer]

OBJECTIVES

The sentinel lymph node biopsy is a gold standard in the management of breast cancer. Its role in multifocal or multicentric tumors is still evolving. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and pertinence of sentinel lymph node biopsy in multifocal and multicentric tumors based on a systematic review of literature.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted searching in the following electronic databases PubMed using "sentinel lymph node biopsy", "breast cancer", "multifocal tumor", "multicentric tumor" and "multiple tumor" as keywords. We included original articles published between 2000 and 2014, both French and English, studying feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in invasive breast cancer, multicentric and/or multifocal tumors. The first end point was success rate and false negative rate.

RESULTS

Twenty-six articles were included in this literature review, with 2212 cases (782 multifocal, 737 multicentric and 693 multiple tumors). Percentage of tumors whose stage was higher than stage T2 ranged from 0 to 86.3%. Success rate average was 83.1%. False negative average was 8.2%. False negative rate was less than 10% in 15 articles. Mean of sentinel lymph node biopsy was 2 (1-9). The average rate of sentinel lymph node positive was 50.6%. Axillary recurrence rate was 0.5%.

CONCLUSION

Despite the methodological biases of the studies included in this review of literature, the false negative rate of sentinel node biopsy in multifocal and multicentric breast cancers are less than 10% with a low rate of axillary recurrence. Despite the lack of randomized study, this procedure can be routinely performed in accordance with rigorous technical process.

Just how accurate are the major risk stratification systems for early-stage endometrial cancer?

BACKGROUND

To compare the accuracy of five major risk stratification systems (RSS) in classifying the risk of recurrence and nodal metastases in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

Data of 553 patients with early-stage EC were abstracted from a prospective multicentre database between January 2001 and December 2012. The following RSS were identified in a PubMed literature search and included the Post Operative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC-1), the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)-99, the Survival effect of para-aortic lymphadenectomy (SEPAL), the ESMO and the ESMO-modified classifications. The accuracy of each RSS was evaluated in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and nodal metastases according to discrimination.

RESULTS

Overall, the ESMO -modified RSS provided the highest discrimination for both RFS and for nodal metastases with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.70-0.76) and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 (0.78-0.72), respectively. The other RSS performed as follows: the PORTEC1, GOG-99, SEPAL, ESMO classifications gave a C-index of 0.68 (0.66-0.70), 0.65 (0.63-0.67), 0.66 (0.63-0.69), 0.71 (0.68-0.74), respectively, for RFS and an AUC of 0.69 (0.66-0.72), 0.69 (0.67-0.71), 0.68 (0.66-0.70), 0.70 (0.68-0.72), respectively, for node metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the five major RSS showed high accuracy in stratifying the risk of recurrence or nodal metastases in patients with early-stage EC, although the ESMO-modified classification emerged as having the highest power of discrimination for both parameters. Therefore, there is a need to revisit existing RSS using additional tools such as biological markers to better stratify risk for these patients.

Gene screening of Wharton's jelly derived stem cells

Stem cells are the most powerful candidate for the treatment of various diseases. Suitable stem cell source should be harvested with minimal invasive procedure, found in great quantity, and transplanted with no risk of immune response and tumor formation. Fetal derived stem cells have been introduced as an excellent alternative to adult and embryonic stem cells use, but unfortunately, their degree of "stemness" and molecular characterization is still unclear. Several studies have been performed deciphering whether fetal stem cells meet the needs of regenerative medicine. We believe that a transcriptomic screening of Wharton's jelly stem cells will bring insights on cell population features.

A clue towards improving the European Society of Medical Oncology risk group classification in apparent early stage endometrial cancer? Impact of lymphovascular space invasion

Background:

Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is one of the most important predictors of nodal involvement and recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer (EC). Despite its demonstrated prognostic value, LVSI has not been incorporated into the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) classification. The aim of this prospective multicentre database study is to investigate whether it may improve the accuracy of the ESMO classification in predicting the recurrence risk.

Methods:

Data of 496 patients with apparent early-stage EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from prospective multicentre database. A modified ESMO classification including six risk groups was created after inclusion of the LVSI status in the ESMO classification. The primary end point was the recurrence accuracy comparison between the ESMO and the modified ESMO classifications with respect to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results:

The recurrence rate in the whole population was 16.1%. The median follow-up and recurrence time were 31 (range: 1–152) and 27 (range: 1–134) months, respectively. Considering the ESMO modified classification, the recurrence rates were 8.2% (8 out of 98), 23.1% (15 out of 65), 25.9% (15 out of 58), and 45.1% (28 out of 62) for intermediate risk/LVSI−, intermediate risk/LVSI+, high risk/LVSI−, and high risk/LVSI+, respectively (P<0.001). In the low risk group, LVSI status was not discriminant as only 7.0% (14 out of 213) had LVSI+. The staging accuracy according to AUC criteria for ESMO and ESMO modified classifications were of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.68–0.74) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71–0.77), respectively.

Conclusions:

The current modified classification could be helpful to better define indications for nodal staging and adjuvant therapy, especially for patients with intermediate risk EC.

An external validation study of nomograms designed to predict isolated loco-regional and distant endometrial cancer recurrences: how applicable are they?

Background:

To externally validate and assess the robustness of two nomograms to predict the recurrence risk of women with endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods:

Using an independent, multicentre external patient cohort we assessed the discrimination and calibration of two nomograms – the 3-year isolated loco-regional (ILRR) and distant (DR) recurrence nomograms – in women with surgically treated stage I–III EC.

Results:

Two hundred and seventy one eligible women were identified from two university hospital databases and the Senti-Endo trial. The median follow-up and initial recurrence time were 38.1 (range: 12–69) and 22.0 (range: 8.3–55) months, respectively. The overall recurrence rate was 13.8% (37 out of 271). Predictive accuracy according to the discrimination was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.58–0.79) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60–0.71) for the 3-year ILRR and DR nomograms, respectively. The correspondence between observed recurrence rate and the nomogram predictions suggests a moderate calibration of the nomograms in the validation cohort.

Conclusion:

The nomograms were externally validated and shown to be partly generalisable to a new and independent patient population. The tools need to be improved by including information on the lymph node status and adjuvant therapies.

[Acute non-puerperal uterine inversion the third degree]

The uterine inversion is a rare gynecologic complication. Usually, it is extremely serious obstetric complication exposing the young mother at the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman, hemodynamically unstable at admission, with an acute uterine inversion a complete fundic submucosal myoma. The surgical management was done by a double approach: laparoscopic and vaginal. Although rare and difficult diagnosis, the acute non-puerperal uterine inversion is a medical-surgical emergency caused by an intracavitary expansive process.

Response shift effects on measuring post-operative quality of life among breast cancer patients: a multicenter cohort study

PURPOSE

To characterize response shift effects in patients with breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

The QLQ-C30, BR23, and EurQOL-EQ-5D were assessed at baseline and at the end of the first hospitalization. We used the then-test approach to characterize changes in internal standards by calculating the mean difference between the then-test (retrospective measure) and pre-test baseline QoL assessments. The Ideal Scale Approach was also used to assess changes in standards by comparing health and QoL expectancies between baseline and the end of the first hospitalization. Successive Comparison Approach was used to assess changes in values through the longitudinal assessment of the relative importance of EuroQOL dimensions.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that recalibration RS effects occurred early after the first hospitalization for 6/15 dimensions of QLQ-C30 (emotional, cognitive, fatigue, insomnia, appetite loss, diarrhea) and 2/8 of BR-23 (future perspective, systemic therapy side effects). Moreover, health and QoL expectancies changed between the baseline and the end of the first hospitalization, and changes in values were seen for the self-care and usual activities dimensions of the EuroQOL-EQ-5D.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of RS early after the first hospitalization suggests that it needs to be taken into account to interpret QoL changes in BC.

Borderline ovarian tumors diagnosed during pregnancy exhibit a high incidence of aggressive features: results of a French multicenter study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the characteristics of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) diagnosed during pregnancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective multicenter study of 40 patients with BOTs diagnosed during pregnancy between 1997 and 2009 at five tertiary universitary departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics and one French cancer center. The medical records were reviewed to determine surgical procedure, histology, restaging surgery and recurrence.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 30.2 ± 5.4 years. Most BOTs were diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy (62%). Salpingo-oophorectomy (N = 24) was more frequently performed than cystectomy (N = 11) during pregnancy (P = 0.01). Only two patients had an initial complete staging. BOTs were mucinous, serous and mixed in 48%, 42% and 10% of patients, respectively. Twenty-one percent of mucinous BOTs exhibited intraepithelial carcinoma or microinvasion. Forty-seven percent of serous BOTs exhibited micropapillary features, noninvasive implants or microinvasion. Restaging surgery performed in 52% patients resulted in upstaging in 24% of cases. Recurrence rate in patients with serous BOT with micropapillary features or peritoneal implants was 7.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

BOTs diagnosed during pregnancy exhibit a high incidence of aggressive features and are rarely completely staged initially. Given this setting, up-front salpingo-oophorectomy should be considered and restaging planned.