Trends in the incidence and survival outcomes of endometrial cancer in Korea: a nationwide population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate trends in the incidence and survival outcomes of endometrial cancer (EC) based on the year of diagnosis, stage, age, and histologic types.

METHODS

Women with primary EC diagnosed between 1999 and 2018, and who were followed up with until 2019, were identified from the Korea Central Cancer Registry using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, annual percent changes (APCs), and survival were estimated according to age, stage, histology, and year of diagnosis.

RESULTS

The ASR for EC increased from 2.38 per 100,000 in 1999 to 7.29 per 100,000 in 2018 across all histologic types (APCs of 9.82, 15.97, and 7.73 for endometrioid, serous, and clear cell, respectively, p<0.001). There were significant differences in the 5-year survival rates based on histology (90.9%, 55.0%, and 68.5% for endometrioid, serous, and clear cell, respectively, p<0.001), stage (93.4%, 77.0%, and 31.0% for localized, regional, and distant, respectively, p<0.001), and age (93.0% for <50 years and 80.6% for ≥50 years, p<0.001). The 5-year survival was significantly better in the group diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 (85.9%) than that in the 1999-2008 group (83.3%) (p<0.001). This trend was only observed for endometrioid cancer (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of EC increased across the all 3 subtypes. Survival of patients with endometrioid histology improved over the past two decades, but remained static for serous or clear cell histology. Healthcare strategies to prevent EC incidence in at-risk populations and apply effective treatments for high-risk histology are needed.

The timing of adenomyosis diagnosis and its impact on pregnancy outcomes: a national population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Adenomyosis impacts pregnancy outcomes, although there is a lack of consensus regarding the actual effects. It is likely, however, that the severity of adenomyosis or ultrasound findings or timing of diagnosis can have different effects on adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

METHODS

In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the timing of adenomyosis diagnosis on pregnancy outcomes. Singleton pregnant women who delivered between 2017 and 2022 were analyzed based on the timing of adenomyosis diagnosis, using a national database. The final cohort was classified into three groups: 1) group 1, without adenomyosis; 2) group 2, those diagnosed with adenomyosis before pregnancy; and 3) group 3, those diagnosed with adenomyosis during pregnancy.

RESULTS

A total of 1,226,475 cases were ultimately included in this study. Women with a diagnosis of adenomyosis had a significantly higher risk of APOs including hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, preterm birth, and delivery of a small-for-gestational-age infant even after adjusting for covariates. In particular, concerning HDP, the risk was highest in group 3 (group 2: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.15 vs. group 3: aOR, 1.36). However, the highest GDM risk was in group 2 (GDM; group 2: aOR, 1.24 vs. group 3: aOR, 1.04).

CONCLUSION

The increased risk of APO differed depending on the timing of adenomyosis diagnosis. Therefore, efforts for more careful monitoring and prevention of APOs may be necessary when such women become pregnant.

Prognostic impact of erythropoietin-stimulating agent use during front-line chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer: A Korean multicenter cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for chemotherapy-induced anemia affects progression-free survival (PFS) in patients receiving front-line chemotherapy following surgery for ovarian cancer (OC).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients who received front-line chemotherapy after surgery between 2013 and 2019 at six institutions. The patients were divided according to the use of ESAs during front-line chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was PFS. The secondary endpoint was the occurrence of thromboembolism. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to compare survival between matched cohorts.

RESULTS

Overall, 2147 patients (433 receiving ESA and 1714 for no-ESA) were identified, with a median follow-up of 44.0 months. The ESA group showed a significantly higher proportion of stage III/IV disease (81.8% vs 61.1%; P < 0.001) and postoperative gross residual disease (32.3% vs 21.2%; P < 0.001) than the no-ESA group. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the use of ESAs did not affect PFS (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-1.20; P = 0.661). The incidence of thromboembolism was 10.2% in the ESA group and 4.6% in the no-ESA group (adjusted odds ratio, 6.58; 95% CI: 3.26-13.28; P < 0.001). When comparing the well-matched cohorts after PSM, PFS did not differ between the ESA (median PFS 23.5 months) and no-ESA groups (median PFS 22.2 months) (P = 0.540, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ESAs during front-line chemotherapy did not negatively affect PFS in patients with OC after surgery but increased the risk of thromboembolism.

The Expression and Amplification of HER2 Has a Significant Impact on the Prognosis of Endometrial Carcinoma in Korean Patients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the protein overexpression and gene amplification of HER2 in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to evaluate its role as a prognostic factor in Korean women. Methods: A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed from samples from 191 patients with diverse histologic types of EC. HER2 protein expression and gene amplification status were analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and silver in situ hybridization (SISH), respectively. All patients were treated and followed up at a single tertiary medical center in Seoul, Korea, between July 2009 and October 2020. Results: In terms of histological type, among the 191 EC patients, 157 had endometrioid carcinoma, nine had uterine serous papillary carcinoma (USPC), one had clear cell carcinoma, one had squamous cell carcinoma, eight had mixed carcinoma, and 15 had uterine carcinosarcoma (UC). HER2 protein overexpression was observed in eight of the 191 (4.2%) EC patients; of these patients, five had IHC scores of 2+, and three had IHC scores of 3+. The HER2 overexpression rates of USPC, UC, and endometrioid carcinomas were 33.3%, 26.6%, and 0.6%, respectively. HER2 protein overexpression was significant in USPC and UC tissues (p < 0.000) and was associated with poor overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). HER2 gene amplification was confirmed in seven of 184 patients (3.8%), including three patients with USPC and four patients with UC. OS was significantly shorter in patients who had HER2 amplification (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, HER2 expression and HER2 amplification were statistically significantly associated with worse OS (p = 0.006). However, HER2 expression without amplification was not statistically associated with OS (p = 0.993). Conclusions: HER2 protein overexpression and gene amplification are significantly correlated with shorter OS in Korean women. HER2 can be considered an important predictor of survival outcomes in EC patients.

Lymphadenectomy in clinically early epithelial ovarian cancer and survival analysis (LILAC): a Gynecologic Oncology Research Investigators Collaboration (GORILLA-3002) retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy in patients surgically treated for clinically early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

This retrospective, multicenter study included patients with clinically early-stage EOC based on preoperative abdominal-pelvic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging findings between 2007 and 2021. Oncologic outcomes and perioperative complications were compared between the lymphadenectomy and non-lymphadenectomy groups. Independent prognostic factors were determined using Cox regression analysis. Disease-free survival (DFS) was the primary outcome. Overall survival (OS) and perioperative outcomes were the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

In total, 586 patients (lymphadenectomy group, n=453 [77.3%]; non-lymphadenectomy groups, n=133 [22.7%]) were eligible. After surgical staging, upstaging was identified based on the presence of lymph node metastasis in 14 (3.1%) of 453 patients. No significant difference was found in the 5-year DFS (88.9% vs. 83.4%, p=0.203) and 5-year OS (97.2% vs. 97.7%, p=0.895) between the two groups. Using multivariable analysis, lymphadenectomy was not significantly associated with DFS or OS. However, using subgroup analysis, the lymphadenectomy group with serous histology had higher 5-year DFS rates than did the non-lymphadenectomy group (86.5% vs. 74.4%, p=0.048; adjusted hazard ratio=0.281; 95% confidence interval=0.107-0.735; p=0.010). The lymphadenectomy group had longer operating time (p<0.001), higher estimated blood loss (p<0.001), and higher perioperative complication rate (p=0.004) than did the non-lymphadenectomy group.

CONCLUSION

In patients with clinically early-stage EOC with serous histology, lymphadenectomy was associated with survival benefits. Considering its potential harm, lymphadenectomy should be performed according to histologic subtype and subsequent chemotherapy in patients with clinically early-stage EOC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0007309.

Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2023: a tumultuous year for endometrial cancer

In the 2023 series, we summarized the major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology based on communications at the conference of Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology Review Course. The review consisted of 1) Endometrial cancer: immune checkpoint inhibitor, antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), selective inhibitor of nuclear export, CDK4/6 inhibitors WEE1 inhibitor, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. 2) Cervical cancer: surgery in low-risk early-stage cervical cancer, therapy for locally advanced stage and advanced, metastatic, or recurrent setting; and 3) Ovarian cancer: immunotherapy, triplet therapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors along with antiangiogenic agents and PARP inhibitors, and ADCs. In 2023, the field of endometrial cancer treatment witnessed a landmark year, marked by several practice-changing outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the reliable efficacy of PARP inhibitors and ADCs.

Impact of resident participation on surgical outcomes in laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare surgical outcomes in patients with benign diseases who underwent laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) to determine the association between surgical outcomes and resident participation in the gynecologic field.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective study was conducted of patients diagnosed with benign gynecologic diseases who underwent LAVH between January 2010 and December 2015. Clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between the resident involvement and non-involvement groups. The primary endpoint was the 30-day postoperative morbidity. Observers were propensity matched for 17 covariates for resident involvement or non-involvement.

RESULTS

Of the 683 patients involved in the study, 165 underwent LAVH with resident involvement and 518 underwent surgery without resident involvement. After propensity score matching (157 observations), 30-day postoperative morbidity occurred in 6 (3.8%) and 4 (2.5%) patients in the resident involvement and non-involvement groups, respectively (P = 0.501). The length of hospital stay differed significantly between the two groups: 5 days in the resident involvement group and 4 days in the non-involvement group (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, Charlson Comorbidity Index >2 (odds ratio [OR] 8.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.68-23.96; P < 0.001), operative time (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; P < 0.001), and estimated blood loss (OR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with 30-day morbidity, but resident involvement was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the 30-day morbidity rate when residents participated in LAVH. These findings suggest that resident participation in LAVH may be a viable approach to ensure both residency education and patient safety.

Risk of adverse obstetric outcomes in patients with a history of endometrial cancer: A nationwide population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate adverse obstetric outcomes in women with a history of endometrial cancer (EC).

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

The Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) claims database.

POPULATION

Women who gave birth between 2009 and 2016, with a history of EC prior to pregnancy.

METHODS

The KNHI database was used to compare obstetric outcomes of women with and without a history of EC, using the ICD-10 codes. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between a history of EC and adverse obstetric outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Adverse obstetric outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 248 and 3 335 359 women with and without a history of EC, respectively, gave birth. When adjusted for age, primiparity and comorbidities, an increased risk of multiple gestations (odds ratio [OR] 4.925, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.394-7.147), caesarean delivery (OR 2.005, 95% CI 1.535-2.62) and preterm birth (OR 1.941, 95% CI 1.107-3.404) was observed among women with a history of EC. We were unable to demonstrate significant differences in the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, vacuum delivery, placenta praevia, placenta accreta spectrum, placental abruption and postpartum haemorrhage between the groups. In the sensitivity analyses excluding multiple gestations, an increased risk of preterm birth was not observed among women with a history of EC (OR 1.276, 95% CI 0.565-2.881).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no convincing evidence of an increased risk of adverse obstetric outcomes among women with a history of EC. Our findings would be useful in counselling of patients with EC who are undergoing fertility-sparing treatment.

Is minimally invasive radical surgery safe for patients with cervical cancer ≤2 cm in size? (MISAFE): Gynecologic Oncology Research Investigators coLLborAtion study (GORILLA-1003)

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinicopathological factors associated with disease recurrence for patients with 2018 FIGO stage IA with lymphovascular invasion to IB1 cervical cancer treated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

METHODS

A total of 722 patients with cervical cancer between January 2010 and February 2021 were identified. Clinicopathological factors related to disease recurrence were analyzed. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. To determine prognostic factors for DFS, a Cox proportional hazard regression model was used.

RESULTS

Of 722 patients, 49 (6.8%) experienced disease recurrence (37 pelvis, 1 para-aortic lymph node, and 11 peritoneum). Five-year DFS and OS rates were 90.7% and 98.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, risk factors associated with disease recurrence were residual disease in the remaining cervix (OR, 3.122; 95% CI, 1.152-8.461; p = 0.025), intracorporeal colpotomy (OR, 3.252; 95% CI, 1.507-7.017; p = 0.003), and positive resection margin (OR, 3.078; 95% CI, 1.031-9.193; p = 0.044). The non-conization group had a higher percentage of stage IB1 (77.4% vs. 64.6%; p = 0.004) and larger tumor (10 mm vs. 7 mm; p < 0.001) than the conization group. Intracorporeal colpotomy and residual disease in the remaining cervix were independent variables associated with disease recurrence in patients undergoing MIS following conization.

CONCLUSION

During MIS, patients with cervical cancer ≤2 cm in size can be vulnerable to peritoneal recurrences. Patients diagnosed with invasive cancer through conization often have low-risk pathological features, which may affect their survival outcomes.

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy without uterine manipulator or vaginal tube use

In the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been associated with significantly lower disease-free survival and overall survival rates. The proposed reasons for the increased recurrence and mortality associated with MIS are uterine manipulation, the effect of insufflation gas (CO2), and intracorporeal colpotomy. We applied 2 techniques during surgery to reduce tumor spillage in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH), which included avoiding using a uterine manipulator and containing the colpotomy using an endoscopic stapler. We aimed to introduce an easy and comfortable traction method with tagged uterine sutures instead of a manipulator or vaginal tube for minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (RH). The patient underwent LRH. After entering the peritoneal cavity, tubal ligation was performed with an endoscopic clip to prevent tumor spillage via the fallopian tubes. Then, the uterine fundus was tied with needle-straightened multifilament Vicryl 2-0, and the tagged uterus was manipulated. Thereafter, pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed before RH. Thereafter, we performed intracorporeal colpotomy by resecting the vagina twice using an endoscopic stapler. Finally, the stapled vaginal stump was resected to retrieve the specimen via the vaginal opening using monopolar scissors after the vagina was washed several times with sterile water. After removing the specimen, the vaginal stump was endoscopically closed with a barbed suture. LRH can be feasibly performed in patients with uterine cervical neoplasm by retracting tagged uterine sutures without the use of a uterine manipulator.

Optimum selection criteria for secondary cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: A multicenter study from the Gynecologic Oncology Research Investigators coLLaborAtion group (GORILLA-3001)

BACKGROUND

To identify those most likely to benefit from secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS), we evaluated the survival outcomes and factors predictive of prognosis in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer treated at five high-volume Korean hospitals between 2010 and 2021. Recurrence characteristics, treatment methods, and potential predictors of survival were compared between the chemotherapy and surgery groups.

RESULTS

Among all 670 patients, 88.1% had initial stage III/IV disease, and 215 (32.1%) underwent SCS. Among patients who underwent SCS, only those who achieved complete resection exhibited improved survival. Even in patients with residual disease < 1 cm after SCS, we observed no significant survival benefit (p = 0.942). In the multivariate Cox analysis, residual disease at primary surgery, progression-free interval, recurrence sites (≤3 regions or limited carcinomatosis), ascites, and SCS were significant predictors of survival. Meanwhile, the only factor predictive of complete resection after SCS was recurrence sites (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of SCS appear to be exclusive to cases of complete resection. We propose limited regional platinum-sensitive recurrence (≤3 regions or limited carcinomatosis) without ascites as the optimum selection criteria for SCS.

Fertility-sparing hormonal treatment in patients with stage I endometrial cancer of grade 2 without myometrial invasion and grade 1-2 with superficial myometrial invasion: Gynecologic Oncology Research Investigators coLLaborAtion study (GORILLA-2001)

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate oncologic and pregnancy outcomes of fertility-sparing treatment (FST) using progestin in patients with stage I grade 2 endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) without myometrial invasion (MI) or grade 1-2 with superficial MI.

METHODS

Multicenter data of patients with stage I grade 2 EC without MI or grade 1-2 EC with superficial MI, who received FST between 2005 and 2021, were analyzed. Cox regression analysis identified independent factors for progressive disease (PD) during the FST.

RESULTS

Altogether, 54 patients received FST [medroxyprogesterone acetate (500-1000 mg) in 44, megestrol acetate (40-800 mg) in 10] with concurrent levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices use in 31. With median time to achieve a complete response (CR) of 10 (3-24) months, 39 patients (72.2%) achieved CR. Of the 15 patients who attempted to conceive after achieving CR, 7 (46.7%) became pregnant (2 abortions, 5 live births). During a median FST duration of 6 (3-12) months, nine patients (16.6%) were diagnosed with PD. Fifteen (38.5%) experienced recurrence with a median recurrence-free survival of 23 (3-101) months. In the multivariable analysis, tumor size before FST ≥2 cm (HR 5.456, 95% CI 1.34 to 22.14; p = 0.018) was significantly associated with a high PD rate during FST.

CONCLUSION

The overall response rate to FST was promising, however, the PD rate was significant during the first 12 months of FST. Therefore, performing thorough endometrial biopsy and imaging studies is essential to strictly evaluate the extent of the disease every 3 months from FST initiation.

Surgical Treatment Outcomes of Gynecologic Cancer in Older Patients: A Retrospective Study

This study aimed to evaluate oncologic characteristics and surgical outcomes in older patients with gynecologic cancers. This retrospective study included patients aged ≥65 years who were diagnosed with gynecologic cancers and underwent surgical treatment between 2005 and 2020. We reviewed the medical records for age at diagnosis, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, comorbidities, postoperative complications, cancer stage, histologic type, surgical treatment, postoperative outcome, and survival rate. Data were compared between groups according to the age at the time of diagnosis: <75 years (young-old) and ≥75 years (old-old). In total, 131 patients were identified: 53 (40.5%) with ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer (OC), 44 (33.6%) with endometrial cancer (EC), 30 (22.9%) with cervical cancer, and 4 (3.1%) with leiomyosarcoma. The patients’ mean age was 70 (range, 65–83) years; 106 (80.9%) were young-old and 25 (19.1%) were old-old. Postoperative complications occurred in 19 (14.5%) patients. Four patients died within six months after surgery, and three died because of disease progression. There was no difference in the survival rates between the two groups among those with OC and EC. Older patients with gynecologic cancers showed good surgical outcomes and tolerable postoperative complications. Therefore, we can safely offer surgical treatment to older patients.

Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2022: highlight on late-line PARP inhibitor withdrawal in ovarian cancer, the impact of ARIEL-4, and SOLO-3

In the 2022 series, we summarized the major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology based on communications at the conference of Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology Review Course. The review consisted of 1) Ovarian cancer: long-term follow-up data, new poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, overall survival (OS) issues with PARP inhibitor monotherapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugate; 2) Cervical cancer: surgery in early stage disease, therapy for locally advanced stage and advanced, metastatic, or recurrent setting; and 3) Corpus cancer: follow-up regimen, immune checkpoint inhibitor, WEE1 inhibitor, selective inhibitor of nuclear export. A special note was made on the withdrawal of PARP inhibitor from the market for heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients based on the final OS results of ARIEL-4 and SOLO-3 due to concerns of increased risk of death.

Retreatment with progestin for recurrence after complete response with fertility-sparing treatment in patients with endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcomes of retreatment using progestin for recurrence after a complete response with fertility-sparing treatment in patients with early endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with presumed stage IA, grade 1 endometrioid endometrial cancer who developed intra-uterine recurrence after a complete response with fertility-sparing treatment using progestin. Oncological and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed after repeated fertility-sparing treatment. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to analyze the prognostic factors associated with a complete response with secondary fertility-sparing treatment and recurrence-free survival after secondary fertility-sparing treatment, respectively.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with a median age of 31 years (range 23-40) underwent secondary fertility-sparing treatment. With a median secondary progestin treatment duration of 9 months (range 3-55), the complete response rate was 78% (39/50) and no patients had extra-uterine spread of disease. Among the 26 (67%) patients who attempted to conceive after complete response, 10 became pregnant (3 spontaneous abortions, 7 live births). Eighteen (46.1%) patients had a second recurrence, with a median recurrence-free survival after secondary fertility-sparing treatment of 14 months (range 3-36); 15 patients received tertiary fertility-sparing treatment and nine (60%) achieved a complete response. Polycystic ovary on ultrasound (OR 5.82, 95% CI 1.1 to 30.6, p=0.037) was associated with an increased complete response rate with secondary fertility-sparing treatment. Multivariable analysis revealed that recurrence-free survival after initial hormonal treatment >6 months (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.51, p=0.005) and pregnancy after secondary fertility-sparing treatment (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.98; p=0.047) were significantly associated with longer recurrence-free survival after secondary fertility-sparing treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated progestin treatment was associated with a 78% response rate and it was safe in patients with intra-uterine recurrent endometrial cancer. Thus, it might help preserve fertility after first and second recurrences.

Minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery in high-risk histologic endometrial cancer patients: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open surgery (OPS) on the risk of recurrence and mortality in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) of high-risk histology (grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, papillary serous carcinoma [PS], clear cell carcinoma [CC], and carcinosarcoma) using meta-analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We systematically reviewed published studies comparing MIS and OPS in EC patients with high-risk histology until January 2022. The endpoints were recurrence and mortality rate. Study design features that may have affected participant selection, recurrence/death detection, and manuscript publication were assessed. For pooled estimates of the effect of MIS on recurrence/mortality, the random- or fixed-effects meta-analytical models were used after assessing the cross-study heterogeneity.

RESULT

Nine observational studies (eight retrospective and one prospective) fulfilled our search criteria (MIS, 8877 patients; OPS, 5751 patients). The fixed-effects model-based meta-analysis indicated that MIS did not significantly increase the risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.05; p = 0.13) and mortality (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.93; p < 0.001) when compared with OPS. This pattern was also observed in the subgroup analyses based on the stage (early stage vs. all stage), histology (PS and CC), and MIS type (laparoscopy vs. robotic). There was no evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis of observational studies revealed that MIS did not compromise the prognosis of EC patients with high-risk histology. Well-designed randomized controlled trials could verify the results of this uncommon but deadly tumor.

Somatic genomic landscape of East Asian epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its clinical implications from prospective clinical sequencing; A Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group study (KGOG 3047)

Through the wide adaptation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology within clinical practice, molecular profiling of the tumor has been the principal component of personalized treatment. In this study, we have generated a large collection of cancer genomes on East Asian epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) patients and demonstrate the feasibility and utility of NGS platforms to explore the dynamic interrelations of major cancer driver alterations and their impacts on clinical prognosis and management. A total of 652 EOC patients have undergone clinical NGS panels to determine the prevalence of germline and somatic mutations. Notably, TP53 was the most frequently altered event (73%), followed by both BRCA1 and BRCA2 (22% each) and MYC (19%) through pan-EOC analysis. When analyzed based on individual histopathological levels, TP53 mutation was highly dominant in high-grade serous and mucinous histology, whereas mutations in PIK3CA and ARID1A were mostly observed in clear cell carcinoma, and KRAS, BRAF, and CDKN2A mutations were enriched in endometrioid, low-grade serous, and mucinous tumors, respectively. The network-based probabilistic model showed significant co-occurrences of TP53 with BRCA1 and ALK with BRCA2, NOTCH1, and ROS1, whereas mutual exclusivity of TP53 with KRAS and PIK3CA was evident. Furthermore, we utilized machine-learning algorithms to identify molecular correlates that conferred increased sensitivity to platinum and olaparib treatments including somatic mutations in BRCA1, ATM, and MYC. Conversely, patients with ALK mutation were considerably resistant to both treatment modalities. Collectively, our results demonstrate the clinical feasibility of prospective genetic sequencing to facilitate personalized treatment opportunities for patients with EOC.

Clinical Outcomes Associated with Endocervical Glandular Involvement in Patients with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia III

This study aimed to determine whether endocervical glandular involvement (GI) affects the clinical prognosis of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III who underwent the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). This retrospective study included 250 patients who underwent LEEP for the treatment of CIN III between August 2005 and May 2020. The medical records of 234 patients were analyzed; 137 (58.5%) patients were GI negative, and 97 (41.5%) were GI positive. Margin involvement of the LEEP specimen was found in 59 (45.4%) patients in the GI-negative group and 54 (58.7%) patients in the GI-positive group (p = 0.051). The additional surgical procedures (repeat conization or hysterectomy) were significantly more performed in GI-positive patients than in GI-negative patients (40.9% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.004). When comparing the LEEP specimens of GI-1 (GI-positive confirmed via cervical biopsy before conization) and GI-2 (GI-positive confirmed via conization), we found that the mean depth was significantly greater in the GI-1 group (10.9 mm) than in the GI-2 group (7.6 mm) (p = 0.024). Surgical margin involvement was more frequently observed in the GI-2 group than in the GI-1 group (p = 0.030). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates of CIN between the GI-negative and GI-positive groups (p = 0.641). In conclusion, despite no significant differences in residual disease and CIN recurrence between the GI-negative and GI-positive groups, additional surgical treatments were more frequently performed in GI-positive patients. Repeat surgery based on GI positivity should be carefully considered to avoid overtreatment and surgical complications.

Safety and efficacy study of laparoscopic or robotic radical surgery using an endoscopic stapler for inhibiting tumour spillage of cervical malignant neoplasms evaluating survival (SOLUTION): a multi-centre, open-label, single-arm, phase II trial protocol

Background

The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database study demonstrated that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was inferior to abdominal radical hysterectomy in terms of disease recurrence and survival. Among risk factors related to poor prognosis after minimally invasive surgery (MIS), tumour spillage during intracorporeal colpotomy became a significant issue. Thus, we designed this trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy using an endoscopic stapler for early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods

This trial is a prospective, multi-centre, open-label, single-arm, non-inferiority phase II study. The nine organisations will participate in this trial after the approval of the institutional review board. Major eligibility criteria include women aged 20 years or older with cervical cancer stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma according to the revised 2009 FIGO staging system who will undergo type B2 or C hysterectomy by MIS. The primary endpoint is the 4.5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate between abdominal radical hysterectomy and MIS using an endoscopic stapler. For calculating the sample size, we hypothesised that the 4.5-year DFS rate after MIS using an endoscopic stapler is assumed to be the same after abdominal radical hysterectomy at 90.9%, and the non-inferiority margin was 7.2%. When we consider a three-year accrual and 4.5-year follow-up, at least 13 events must happen, requiring a total of 111 patients assuming a statistical power of 80% and the one-tailed test of 5% significance. A total of 124 patients is needed, considering a drop-out rate of 10%.

Discussion

We expect intracorporeal colpotomy using an endoscopic stapler may prevent tumour spillage during MIS for stage IB1 cervical cancer, showing a comparable prognosis with abdominal radical surgery.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04370496; registration date, May 2020.

Laparotomic radical hysterectomy versus minimally invasive radical hysterectomy using vaginal colpotomy for the management of stage IB1 to IIA2 cervical cancer: Survival outcomes

This study compared survival outcomes for patients with stage IB1 to IIA2 (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage 2009) cervical cancer who underwent open radical hysterectomy (ORH) versus those who underwent minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (MIRH) using vaginal colpotomy (VC).Data for 550 patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer at our institution during the period August 2005 to September 2018 was retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 116 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy (RH) were selected after applying the exclusion criteria. All MIRH patients underwent VC. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes between the ORH and MIRH groups were compared using appropriate statistical testing.Ninety one patients were treated with ORH and 25 with MIRH during the study period. Among the MIRH patients, 18 underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy and 7 underwent laparoscopic RH. Preoperative conization was performed more frequently in MIRH patients than in ORH patients (44% vs 22%, respectively, P = .028). The incidence of lymph node invasion was higher in the ORH group than in MIRH group (37.4% vs 12.0% respectively; P = .016). Following RH, ORH patients underwent adjuvant treatment more frequently than MIRH patients (71.4% vs 56.0%, respectively, P = .002). There were no significant differences between ORH and MIRH patients for either progression-free survival (PFS) (91.3% vs 78.7%, respectively; P = .220) or 5-year overall survival (OS) (96.6% vs 94.7%, respectively, P = .929). In univariate analysis, lympho-vascular space invasion was the only clinicopathological feature associated with decreased PFS. No other clinicopathological factors was significantly associated with PFS or OS in univariate and multivariate analyses.Despite a higher incidence of unfavorable prognostic factors in ORH patients, their survival outcomes were not different to those of MIRH patients with VC.

Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2021

In the 2021 series, we not only summarized the major clinical research advances in gynecologic oncology but also added discussions to every part, based on communications at the conference. A review of cervical cancer included adjuvant treatments such as radiation and chemoradiation (concurrent or sequential) after radical hysterectomy in early cervical cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced, recurrent, and metastatic disease. Ovarian cancer research included studies of secondary cytoreductive surgery in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, and various trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and conventional chemotherapy. The rechallenge of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor maintenance in heavily pretreated ovarian cancer were also addressed. For uterine corpus cancer, dostarlimab (anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody) alone, or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with pembrolizumab for advanced, metastatic, or recurrent endometrial cancer were reviewed. The survival differences between the intensive and minimalist follow-up protocols were also described. In this review, we compared salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy in terms of quality of life in BRCA 1 and 2 pathogenic variant carriers.

Informed consent forms for gynecologic cancer surgery: recommendations from the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology

The sociomedical environment is changing. In the traditional physician-patient relationship, the physician was authoritative and the patient was obedient. The contractual relationship featured patient consent to the physician’s decision. Today, the physician must explain fully the planned medical treatment, and any alternative, to the patient, who has the right to choose her treatment after considering the benefits and side-effects. The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) thus decided to standardize the surgical consent forms to meet the legal requirements of modern medicine, improve patient understanding of the surgical details, and protect medical staff from legal disputes. To determine the format and content, subcommittees for each cancer type collected and reviewed all relevant articles and the current consent forms of domestic medical institutions. After several meetings, 16 basic items to be included for each type of gynecologic cancer were selected. Also, to help patients understand the surgical details, figures were included. The revised forms were legally reviewed in terms of the appropriateness of the format and content. We also developed English versions to provide adequate information for foreign patients. We hope that these efforts will promote trust between patients and physicians, and contribute to effective treatment by laying a foundation of mutual respect.

Physician must explain the planned treatment and any alternative to the patient. We developed the surgical consent forms to meet the legal requirements, improve patient understanding of surgical details, and protect medical staff from legal disputes. We expect these promote trust between patient and physician and contribute to effective treatment.

The Clinical Desire for Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy in South Korea: An Electronic Survey-based Study

BACKGROUND/AIM

To evaluate the clinical desire for pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in South Korea.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed an online survey on surgical oncologists between November and December 2019 using a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions.

RESULTS

A total of 164 respondents answered the questionnaire. Among those specialized in ovarian cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei, and malignant mesothelioma 41.7-50% preferred PIPAC for the curative treatment of primary diseases, whereas 32.7-33.3% majoring in colorectal and hepatobiliary cancers chose it for the palliative treatment of recurrent diseases. Furthermore, 66.7-95.2% considered PIPAC appropriate for the cancers they specialized in, and 76-78.7% expected a treatment response of more than 50% and considered grade 1 or 2 complications acceptable. Most respondents answered the reasonable costs to purchase and implement PIPAC once at between 1,000,000-5,000,000 South Korean Won (KRW).

CONCLUSION

Most Korean surgical oncologists expected relatively high tumor response rates with minor toxicities through the repeated implementation of PIPAC.

Multiple Primary Malignancies in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and oncologic outcomes of patients with multiple primary malignant tumors (MPMT) with gynecologic cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 1929 patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer at a tertiary medical center between August 2005 and April 2021. The clinical data included cancer location, age at primary malignancy diagnosis, interval between primary and secondary cancer, stage of cancer, family history of cancer, genetic testing, dates of last follow-up, recurrence, and death. Results: The prevalence of MPMT with gynecologic cancer in patients was 8.6% and the mean diagnostic period between primary and secondary cancer was 60 months. Furthermore, 20 of the 165 patients with MPMT had multiple primary gynecologic cancers (MPGC), whereas 145 had gynecologic cancer coexisting with non-gynecologic cancer (GNC). Endometrial-ovarian cancer (60%) was the most common coexisting cancer in the MPGC group, whereas the most common non-gynecologic cancer in the GNC group was breast cancer (34.5%). There were 48 patients with synchronous cancer and 117 patients with metachronous cancer. The incidence of synchronous cancer was higher in the MPGC group than in the GNC group (p = 0.037). Significantly more patients had early-stage ovarian cancer in the MPGC group than in the GNC group (p = 0.031). The overall recurrence and mortality rates were 15.8% and 8.5%, respectively, in patients with MPMT. Conclusion: Synchronous cancer incidence was significantly higher in the MPGC than in the GNC group. Early-stage ovarian cancer was more highly diagnosed in patients with MPGC than in those with GNC. A systematic examination after primary cancer diagnosis could facilitate the early diagnosis of secondary primary malignancy, thereby improving patient prognosis.

Comparisons of survival outcomes between bevacizumab and olaparib in BRCA-mutated, platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer: a Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group study (KGOG 3052)

OBJECTIVE

To compare survival outcomes between bevacizumab (BEV) and olaparib (OLA) maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated, platinum-sensitive relapsed (PSR) high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC).

METHODS

From 10 institutions, we identified HGSOC patients with germline and/or somatic BRCA1/2 mutations, who experienced platinum-sensitive recurrence between 2013 and 2019, and received second-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were divided into BEV (n=29), OLA (n=83), and non-BEV/non-OLA users (n=36). The OLA and non-BEV/non-OLA users were grouped as the OLA intent group. We conducted 1:2 nearest neighbor-matching between the BEV and OLA intent groups, setting the proportion of OLA users in the OLA intent group from 65% to 100% at 5% intervals, and compared survival outcomes among the matched groups.

RESULTS

Overall, OLA users showed significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) than BEV users (median, 23.8 vs. 17.4 months; p=0.004). Before matching, PFS improved in the OLA intent group but marginal statistical significance (p=0.057). After matching, multivariate analyses adjusting confounders identified intention-to-treat OLA as an independent favorable prognostic factor for PFS in the OLA 65P (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=0.505; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.280-0.911; p=0.023) to OLA 100P (aHR=0.348; 95% CI=0.184-0.658; p=0.001) datasets. The aHR of intention-to-treat OLA for recurrence decreased with increasing proportions of OLA users. No differences in overall survival were observed between the BEV and OLA intent groups, and between the BEV and OLA users.

CONCLUSION

Compared to BEV, intention-to-treat OLA and actual use of OLA maintenance therapy were significantly associated with decreased disease recurrence risk in patients with BRCA-mutated, PSR HGSOC.

Comparative performance of various human papillomavirus assays available in Korea for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or higher lesions among available human papillomavirus infection (HPV) genotyping tests in Korea.

METHODS

Eligible patients visited 13 tertiary hospitals for colposcopic biopsy following cervical cytology and HPV genotyping test between January and December 2018. Baseline characteristics including age, body mass index (BMI), and parity were collected from 3798 patients. The performance of the Roche Cobas HPV 4800 was evaluated against other domestic HPV assays to detect CIN2 or higher.

RESULTS

A total of seven types of HPV genotyping tests were analyzed in the research institutes. A total of 1358 patients (35.8%) tested Anyplex II HPV 28 and 701 patients (18.5%) tested Cobas 4800 HPV. The overall sensitivity in the detection of CIN2 or higher was 41.5% (38.9-44.1) in patients positive for HPV 16/18. The Cobas test for HPV 16/18 was concordant with other assays evaluated for detection of CIN2 or higher and showed sensitivity of 46.6%, which was not significantly different from other assays. Although Anyplex II HPV28 (Seegene) showed slightly decreased sensitivity for detecting CIN2 or higher lesion with HPV 16/18 positive (39.8%, p < 0.05) compared to Cobas 4800, in aspect of high-risk HPV positive, Anyplex II HPV28 showed increased sensitivity (96.9%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The performance of the HPV genotype test that were commonly used in Korea was concordant with Cobas HPV test. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the various commercially available domestic HPV assays.

Delayed diagnosis of imperforate hymen with huge hematocolpometra: A case report

BACKGROUND

Imperforate hymen is a rare obstructive anomaly of the female reproductive tract. It is associated with complications, such as cyclical abdominal pain, urinary retention, and pelvic mass.

CASE SUMMARY

A 13-year-old girl presented several times to the emergency room with lower abdominal pain for a year. She received conservative treatment, such as pain control, at each visit. She visited our gynecological clinic for worsening pain, and a 14-cm hematocolpos was found on ultrasonography. She was finally diagnosed with an imperforate hymen with hematocolpometra. Hymenectomy was performed, which resulted in event-free regular cyclical menstruation.

CONCLUSION

Imperforate hymen should be considered in a premenarcheal adolescent girl with periodic abdominal pain.

Cause-specific mortality rate of ovarian cancer in the presence of competing risks of death: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Objective

This nationwide cohort study aimed to evaluate the cause-specific mortality (probability of death by ovarian cancer, probability of death by other causes) under the competing risks of death in women with ovarian cancer.

Methods

The Korea Central Cancer Registry was searched to identify women with primary ovarian cancer diagnosed between 2006 and 2016. Epithelial ovarian cancer cases were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology 3rd edition. We estimated the cause-specific mortality according to age (<65 years, ≥65 years), stage (local, regional, and distant), and histology (serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, and others) under the competing risks framework; moreover, cumulative incidences were estimated.

Results

We included 21,446 cases. Cause-specific mortality continuously increased throughout 10 year follow-up. Compared with women aged <65 years, ovarian cancer-specific mortality (5-year, 28.9% vs. 61.9%; 10-year, 39.0% vs. 68.6%, p<0.001) and other cause mortality (5-year, 1.7% vs. 4.8%; 10-year, 2.8% vs. 8.2%, p<0.001) increased in women aged ≥65 years. This trend was consistent across all the stages and histological types. There was a substantial increase in competing risks from 1.1% in women aged <65 years to 8.0% in women aged ≥65 years in patients with early-stage (p<0.001) non-serous ovarian cancer (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Older age at diagnosis is associated with increasing ovarian cancer-specific mortality and competing risks. Given the substantial effect of competing risks on elderly patients, there is a need for assessment tools to balance the beneficial and harmful effects to provide optimal treatment.

This nationwide cohort study analyzed 21,446 women with primary ovarian cancer to evaluate survival and cause-specific competing mortality. Older age was associated with increasing both ovarian cancer-specific mortality and competing risks. Increased awareness of competing mortality is required for the optimal treatment decisions in the elderly.

Association between atypical endometriosis and ovarian malignancies in the real world

Background

To evaluate the clinical outcome of atypical endometriosis and its association with ovarian malignancy.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with atypical endometriosis between January 2001 and December 2017. All patients had received surgical treatment for ovarian tumor. The clinical characteristics and histopathological results of all patients were reviewed.

Results

Atypical endometriosis was diagnosed in 101 patients. We analyzed 98 patients with a mean age of 34.8 years (range: 16–58 years). Ten patients (10.2%) had previously undergone endometriosis surgery more than once. In total, 12 (12.2%) patients had atypical endometriosis-associated ovarian malignancy—nine had carcinomas and three had borderline tumor. The tumors were pathologically classified as follows: five, clear cell carcinomas; two, endometrioid adenocarcinomas; one, mixed clear cell and endometrioid adenocarcinoma; one, seromucinous carcinoma; two, mucinous borderline tumors; and one, seromucinous borderline tumor.

Conclusion

Atypical endometriosis is most frequently associated with clear cell carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma. To identify the risk of ovarian malignancy and manage patients with endometriosis, diagnosing atypical endometriosis and recognizing its precancerous potential are important.

Evaluation of the distance from the anterior cervicovaginal junction to the anterior peritoneal reflection for anterior colpotomy during vaginal hysterectomy in Korean women

This study aimed to know the distance of the cervicovaginal junction (CVJ) to the anterior peritoneal reflection (APR) as measured in surgical specimens, and assess the distance between the CVJ and APR to ensure safe anterior colpotomy for vaginal hysterectomy among Korean women.Patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy were included in the analysis. According to the presence of pelvic organ prolapse or menopausal status, the distance from the CVJ to the APR was assessed preoperatively through transvaginal ultrasonography (TV-US), as well as intraoperatively using surgical specimens. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the reliability between 2 measurements.In total, 171 patients were included. The median distance from the CVJ to the APR measured on TV-US was 19.8 (3.3-41.3) mm. Meanwhile, the median distance from the CVJ to the APR measured using the surgical specimen was 26.0 (12.0-55.0) mm. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the absolute agreement between 2 measurements was 0.353 (95% confidence interval: 0.002-0.570; P < .001), which is indicative of poor reliability. The median distance from the CVJ to the APR measured using the surgical specimen did not differ significantly between the 2 groups according to pelvic organ prolapse (26.0 [12.0-55.0] vs 27.5 [17.0-55.0] mm, P = .076] and menopausal status (27.0 [15.0-55.0] vs 26.0 [12.0-55.0] mm, P = .237).TV-US does not an accurately measure the dissection plane length from the CVJ to the APR during anterior colpotomy. During vaginal hysterectomy, the median distance from the CVJ to the APR measured using the surgical specimen was 26 (12.0-55.0) mm, which can help decrease surgical complications.

Preservation of the ovarian reserve and hemostasis during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy by a hemostatic agent versus suturing for patients with ovarian endometriosis: study protocol for randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial (PRAHA-2 trial)

Background

Endometriosis (EMS) can be implanted everywhere, especially in pelvic organs. EMS can be asymptomatic, but it can result in pelvic pain and infertility by inducing local inflammation and pelvic adhesion. The prevalence of EMS is about 10% in reproductive-age women and higher in women with pelvic pain or infertility. For young patients with ovarian EMS, laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is effective in relieving pelvic pain and preventing local recurrence. However, there is a concern that the ovarian reserve would decrease after the operation because of the removal of a part of the normal ovarian tissue and thermal damage during hemostasis, which depends on the types of hemostasis such as bipolar electrocoagulation, suturing, and the use of a hemostatic agent. In this study, we aim to evaluate the protective effect for the ovarian reserve and hemostasis between a hemostatic agent and suturing during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for patients with ovarian EMS.

Methods

This study is a randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial, where a total of 90 patients with ovarian EMS will be randomly assigned to the experimental (hemostatic agent) and control (suturing) groups. In the control group, a barbed suture will be applied for hemostasis, whereas a hemostatic agent will be applied in the experimental group. If two methods are insufficient, bipolar electrocoagulation will be applied for complete hemostasis. As the primary endpoint, the reduction rate of serum anti- Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels reflecting the ovarian reserve will be compared between the two groups 12 weeks after surgery. As secondary endpoints, we will compare the reduction rate of AMH level 48 weeks after surgery, the time required to complete hemostasis, the success rate of hemostasis within 10 min, and adverse events associated with operation.

Discussion

We expect that the protective effect for the ovarian reserve and hemostasis may be comparable between the two methods, suggesting that a hemostatic agent may be preferred considering that it is easy to use during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04643106. Registered on 22 November 2020

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05431-1.

Development of rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy to enhance drug delivery into the peritoneum

This study aims to evaluate the drug distribution, tissue concentrations, penetration depth, pharmacokinetic properties, and toxicities after rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy (RIPAC) in pigs. Because relevant medical devices have not been introduced, we developed our prototype of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) and RIPAC by adding a conical pendulum motion device for rotating the nozzle. RIPAC and PIPAC were conducted using 150 ml of 1% methylene blue to evaluate the drug distribution and 3.5 mg of doxorubicin in 50 ml of 0.9% NaCl to evaluate the tissue concentrations and penetration depth, pharmacokinetic properties, and toxicities. All agents were sprayed as aerosols via the nozzle, DreamPen^® (Dalim Biotech, Gangwon, South Korea), with a velocity of 5 km/h at a flow rate of 30 ml/min under a pressure of 7 bars, and capnoperitoneum of 12 mmHg was maintained for 30 min. As a result, RIPAC showed a wider distribution and stronger intensity than PIPAC. Compared with PIPAC, RIPAC demonstrated high values of the tissue concentration in the central, right upper, epigastrium, left upper, left lower, right lower, and right flank regions (median, 375.5-2124.9 vs. 161.7-1240 ng/ml; p ≤ .05), and higher values of the depth of concentrated diffusion and depth of maximal diffusion (median, 232.5-392.7 vs. 116.9-240.1 μm; 291.2-551.2 vs. 250.5-362.4 μm; p ≤ .05) in all regions except for bowels. In RIPAC, the pharmacokinetic properties reflected hemodynamic changes during capnoperitoneum, and there were no related toxicities. Conclusively, RIPAC may have the potential to enhance drug delivery into the peritoneum compared to PIPAC.

Optimal duration of fertility-sparing hormonal treatment for early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the oncologic outcomes of long-term fertility-sparing treatment (FST) in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) and to determine the optimal duration of FST that would not hamper survival outcomes.

METHODS

Patients undergoing FST for presumed stage IA, grade 1 EC between 2005 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Oncologic outcomes were compared between the group with ≤6 months of FST and the group with >6 months of FST. Segmented regression analysis was used to estimate the dynamic changes in cumulative complete response (CR) rates according to FST duration.

RESULTS

A total of 122 patients received oral progestin, with concurrent levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device use in 108 (88.5%) and 105 (86.1%) achieved CR with a median time to achieve CR of 10 (3-42) months. Of the patients not achieving CR at 6 months of FST, 95.1% (78/82) continued further FST. The overall CR rate (88.9% [32/36] vs. 84.9% [73/86], P = 0.436] was not significantly different between the groups with ≤6 and > 6 months of FST. The changes in cumulative CR rates were significantly different between the two segments divided by 15 months from the initial FST (P = 0.0015, segmented regression analysis). The overall progressive disease (PD) rate was 3.3% (4/122), and PD was first detected during 9-12 months of FST.

CONCLUSION

Patients not achieving CR and not showing PD at 6 months of FST could continue further FST. If disease progression is excluded, 15 months of FST can be considered as the cutoff for the optimal FST duration.

Successful Treatment of Nongestational Choriocarcinoma in a 15-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Nongestational choriocarcinoma is a rare ovarian malignancy with a prognosis worse than that of gestational choriocarcinoma. Debulking surgery is the primary treatment for ovarian carcinoma. However, fertility preservation is important in young women.

CASE

A 15-year-old girl with no sexual experience was admitted for abnormal uterine bleeding. Ultrasonography showed a solid mass in the right ovary and her serum β-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels were markedly elevated. We performed right oophorectomy, omentectomy, and peritoneal washing cytology. The uterus and left adnexa were preserved. She was diagnosed with nongestational choriocarcinoma, stage IIA. She received adjuvant chemotherapy (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and oncovin regimen) and has been disease-free for more than 5 years.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Fertility-sparing surgery combined with chemotherapy is an acceptable treatment option for young patients with locally advanced nongestational choriocarcinoma.

Feasibility and efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced ovarian insufficiency in patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (KGOG 3048R)

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) on the prevention of chemotherapy-induced ovarian insufficiency among young patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumour (MOGCT) receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

This multicentre, retrospective study was conducted at 15 sites affiliated with the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group and enrolled 354 patients between January 1995 and September 2018. Among them, 227 patients were included in this study and divided into two groups according to the use of GnRHa during chemotherapy (GnRHa versus no GnRHa groups). The primary objective was to compare the rates of menstrual resumption between the two groups. We also assessed the clinical determinants affecting menstrual resumption among the study groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the GnRHa (n = 63) and no GnRHa (n = 164) groups regarding age at diagnosis, parity, ethnicity, age at menarche, body mass index, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, mode of surgery and surgery type. The rate of menstrual resumption after chemotherapy was 100% (63 of 63) in the GnRHa group and 90.9% (149 of 164) in the no GnRHa group (p = 0.013). The mean periods from last chemotherapy to menstrual resumption were 7.4 and 7.3 months in the GnRHa and no GnRHa groups, respectively. GnRHa co-administration during chemotherapy reduced the likelihood of amenorrhoea after chemotherapy, although statistical significance was not confirmed in the univariate analysis (odds ratio: 0.276; 95% confidence interval, 0.004-1.317; p = 0.077).

CONCLUSION

Temporary ovarian suppression with GnRHa during chemotherapy does not significantly increase the chances of menstrual resumption in young patients with MOGCT.

Reduction of cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer (ROCOCO): study protocol for a phase III randomized controlled trial

Background

Primary debulking surgery (PDS) and adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for advanced ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) has been introduced as an alternative, showing similar efficacy and decreased postoperative complications compared with PDS. Although there is still no evidence for whether three or four cycles of NAC used clinically could be adequate, reducing one cycle of NAC is expected to remove more visible tumours and thereby improve prognosis. Thus, we proposed with this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of reducing one cycle of NAC for advanced ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer.

Methods

This study is a prospective, multi-centre, open-label, randomized phase III trial. A total of 298 patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer will be recruited and randomly assigned to either three (control group) or two cycles of NAC (experimental group). After the NAC, we will conduct IDS with maximal cytoreduction and then administer the remaining three or four cycles for a total of six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary end point is progression-free survival, and the secondary end points are time to tumour progression, overall survival, tumour response after NAC, IDS and adjuvant chemotherapy, radiologic investigation after IDS, tumour response by positron emission tomography-computed tomography after NAC, quality of life, adverse events, success rate of optimal cytoreduction, surgical complexity, postoperative complications and safety of IDS. We will assess these factors at screening, at every cycle of chemotherapy, at IDS, after the completion of chemotherapy, every 3 months for the first 2 years after the planned treatment and every 6 months thereafter for 3 years.

Discussion

We hypothesize that reducing one cycle of NAC will contribute to more resection of visible tumours despite 10% reduction of optimal cytoreduction, which could improve survival. Moreover, two cycles of NAC may increase postoperative complications by 5% compared with three cycles, which may be acceptable.

Trial registration

This study has been prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on Oct. 2nd, 2018 (NCT03693248, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03693248).

Prognostic Factors and Impact of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Early-stage Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic factors and impact of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in surgically treated early-stage high-grade (HG) neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (NECC).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

PATIENTS

Patients with International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2009) stages IB1 to IIA HG NECC.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients underwent radical hysterectomy (RH) with a laparotomy or an MIS approach.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Between 1993 and 2017, 47 patients with International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stages IB1 to IIA1 HG NECC were initially treated with RH. Clinicopathologic variables of patients were retrospectively reviewed from electronic medical records. The median follow-up period was 28.2 months (interquartile range, 17.1-42). Stage IB1 disease was the most common (70.2%). Twenty-nine patients (61.7%) underwent RH by MIS. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 63.8% and 38.3%, respectively. Lymph node metastasis and resection margin involvement were significant risk factors for DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.227; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-4.871; p =.045 and HR, 6.494; 95% CI, 1.415-29.809; p =.016, respectively) and OS (HR, 3.236; 95% CI, 1.188-8.815; p =.022 and HR, 12.710; 95% CI, 1.128-143.152; p =.040, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed no significant differences in OS and DFS between the laparotomy and MIS groups (50% vs 72.4% log-rank p =.196, 38.9% vs 37.9% p =.975).

CONCLUSION

Lymph node metastasis and resection margin involvement were poor prognostic factors of survival outcomes in initially surgically treated early-stage HG NECC. No difference was observed in the survival outcomes between the MIS and laparotomy approaches.

Pregnancy and oncologic outcomes after fertility-sparing management for early stage endometrioid endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Hormonal management is an alternative treatment for preserving fertility in patients with presumed early stage endometrioid endometrial cancer. This study aimed to define the pregnancy and oncologic outcomes and factors of successful conception after hormone therapy for endometrioid endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients presumed to have stage IA, grade 1-2 endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent fertility-sparing treatment. Concurrent medroxyprogesterone and levonorgestrel-release intra-uterine devices were used for treatment. The pregnancy outcomes and oncologic outcomes were compared between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients presumed to have stage IA, grade 1-2 endometrioid endometrial cancer had complete remission, and 49 of them tried to conceive. Twenty-two (44.9%) patients became pregnant; the total number of pregnancies was 30. These pregnancies resulted in seven abortions (23.3%), one pre-term birth (3.3%), and 20 full-term births (66.6%). The total live birth rate was 66.6 % (20/30). The median duration of hormonal treatment was 11.9 months (range 4-49) and 12.0 months (range 3-35) in the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, respectively. On multivariate analysis, age, body mass index, treatment duration, medroxyprogesterone dose, and number of dilatation and curettage biopsies were not significantly associated with pregnancy failure, but the association with grade (OR 6.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 38.9; P<0.05) was statistically significant. The median disease-free survival duration was 26 months (range 20-38) and 12 months (range 4-48) in the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, respectively (P<0.05, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

A lower grade might be a positive factor for future pregnancy. Moreover, successful pregnancy might be a factor in preventing recurrence.

Outcomes of non-high grade serous carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced-stage ovarian cancer: a Korean gynecologic oncology group study (OV 1708)

Background

Outcomes of patients with ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have been widely studied, but there is limited information on the outcomes of patients with non-HGSC. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of NAC in non-HGSC patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent NAC for advanced stage non-HGSC between 2002 and 2017 in 17 institutions. Demographics, surgical outcomes, and survival rates were evaluated according to histological subtypes.

Results

A total of 154 patients were included in this study, comprising 20 cases (13.0%) of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 31 cases (20.1%) of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 28 (18.2%) cases of clear cell carcinoma, 29 (18.8%) cases of low-grade serous carcinoma and 12 cases (7.8%) of carcinosarcoma. Complete remission/partial remission after the third cycle of NAC was achieved in 100 (64.9%) patients and optimal debulking surgery (residual disease ≤1 cm) at interval debulking surgery was achieved in 103 (66.9%) patients. The most common reason for performing NAC was high tumor burden (n = 106, 68.8%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.3 months and median overall survival (OS) was 52.9 months. In multivariate analyses, mucinous and clear cell carcinoma were negative prognostic factors for both PFS (p = 0.007 and p = 0.017, respectively) and OS (p = 0.002 and p = 0.013, respectively).

Conclusions

In this study, poor survival outcomes were observed in patients with mucinous and clear cell carcinoma undergoing NAC. Different treatment strategies are urgently required to improve survival outcomes for this disease subset.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5514-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predictors of 30-day morbidity after hysterectomy for benign disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 30-day morbidity rate after hysterectomy for benign disease and identify predictors of 30-day morbidity.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015, at Konkuk University Hospital, South Korea. Multivariable regression analysis identified independent factors for morbidity.

RESULTS

1609 women were included. 30-day morbidity rates were 4.5% (n=72) for the whole cohort: 7.5% (28/371), 3.2% (22/686), and 4.0% (22/552) for abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and vaginal hysterectomy, respectively. The most common 30-day postoperative morbidities were urinary complications (1.2%, 20/1609), wound infection (0.9%, 14/1609), and blood transfusion more than 4 units (0.7%, 11/1609). In multivariate regression analysis, Charlson comorbidity index of 2 or more, operative time, and estimated blood loss were independently associated with morbidity. Propensity score-matching indicated no difference in morbidity rates for the abdominal hysterectomy and LAVH or vaginal hysterectomy groups (P=0.351), whereas the LAVH or vaginal hysterectomy groups were more strongly associated with operation time, estimated blood loss, and length of postoperative hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Comorbidity index, operative time, and blood loss were independently associated with morbidity following hysterectomy. These findings supported the preoperative optimization of comorbidities and the appropriate selection of surgical approaches.

Novel imprinted single CpG sites found by global DNA methylation analysis in human parthenogenetic induced pluripotent stem cells

Genomic imprinting is the process of epigenetic modification whereby genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin dependent manner; it plays an important role in normal growth and development. Parthenogenetic embryos contain only the maternal genome. Parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells could be useful for studying imprinted genes. In humans, mature cystic ovarian teratomas originate from parthenogenetic activation of oocytes; they are composed of highly differentiated mature tissues containing all three germ layers. To establish human parthenogenetic induced pluripotent stem cell lines (PgHiPSCs), we generated parthenogenetic fibroblasts from ovarian teratoma tissues. We compared global DNA methylation status of PgHiPSCs with that of biparental human induced pluripotent stem cells by using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. This analysis identified novel single imprinted CpG sites. We further tested DNA methylation patterns of two of these sites using bisulfite sequencing and described novel candidate imprinted CpG sites. These results confirm that PgHiPSCs are a powerful tool for identifying imprinted genes and investigating their roles in human development and diseases.

Can simple trachelectomy or conization show comparable survival rate compared with radical trachelectomy in IA1 cervical cancer patients with lymphovascular space invasion who wish to save fertility? A systematic review and guideline recommendation

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze the published literatures on the effect of less radical fertility-preserving procedures, such as conization or simple trachelectomy, on oncological outcomes in IA1 cervical cancer patients with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) through a systematic-review.

METHODS

The EMBASE and MEDLINE databases and Cochrane Library were searched for published studies reporting the oncological outcomes of conization/simple trachelectomy in these patients, through April 2017. The endpoints were recurrence and mortality rates. Data were presented as per the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. Practice guidelines were generated via the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.

RESULTS

From 6,755 records, 94 full-texts articles were reviewed for eligibility, and five studies were included in this systematic review. All included studies were nonrandomized studies: two case-control studies comparing conization (n = 14) with hysterectomy (n = 24), and the other three were interrupted time series including conization (n = 20) and simple vaginal trachelectomy (n = 59). During the median follow-up duration of 43 months, no recurrence was reported in both conization and simple trachelectomy groups in IA1 patients with LVSI. From three studies reporting the fertility outcomes, the rates of pregnancy, live birth, preterm delivery, and second-trimester miscarriage were 73% (35/48), 64% (32/50), 10% (5/48), and 6% (3/48), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that simple trachelectomy or conization could be performed for IA1 cervical cancer patients with LVSI who want to preserve fertility, although these results are only based on a small number of nonrandomized studies (recommendation grade 2 = weak; evidence level D = very low). Further randomized trials with long-term study period are needed to address this issue.

Contributions and Limitations of National Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Korea: A Retrospective Observational Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contributions and limitations of the cervical cancer screening test with accuracy in Korea.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study. The study population consisted of all participants who underwent cervical cancer screening test from 2009 to 2014. The data were obtained from National Health Information Database (NHID) which represents medical use records of most Koreans. As the indices for contributions and limitations of the screening test, crude detection rate, incidence rate of interval cancer, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were used.

RESULTS

The crude detection rate of screening test per 100,000 participants increased from 100.7 in 2009 to 102.1 in 2014. The incidence rate of interval cancer per 100,000 negatives decreased from 13.0 in 2009 to 10.2 in 2014. The sensitivities of screening test were 88.7% in 2009 and 91.2% in 2014, and the specificities were 98.5% in 2009 and 97.7% in 2014. The positive predictive value of screening decreased from 6.2% in 2009 to 4.3% in 2014.

CONCLUSION

The Korean national cervical cancer screening program has improved in accuracy and has contributed to detection of early stage of cervical cancer over the years. Along with efforts to promote participation in cancer screening programs, quality control over the screening program should be enhanced.

Clinical, biochemical, and genetic aspects of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in ALDH3A2, which encodes the fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase responsible for the metabolism of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes and alcohols. The pathophysiologic accumulation of aldehydes in various organs, including the skin, brain, and eyes, leads to characteristic features of ichthyosis, intellectual disability, spastic di-/quadriplegia, and low visual acuity with photophobia. The severity of the clinical manifestations thereof can vary greatly, although most patients are bound to a wheelchair due to contractures. To date, correlations between genotype and phenotype have proven difficult to document due to low disease incidence and high heterogenetic variability in mutations. This review summarizes the clinical characteristics of SLS that have been found to contribute to the prognosis thereof, as well as recent updates from genetic and brain imaging studies. In addition, the differential diagnoses of SLS are briefly illustrated, covering cerebral palsy and other genetic or neurocutaneous syndromes mimicking the syndrome.