Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates for preadolescent and adolescent girls in the United States are far behind those of other developed nations. These rates differ substantially by region ...and state, socioeconomic status, and insurance status. In parents and young women, a lack of awareness and a misperception of the risk of this vaccine drive low vaccination rates. In physicians, lack of comfort with discussion of sexuality and the perception that the vaccine should be delayed to a later age contribute to low vaccination rates. Patient- and physician-targeted educational campaigns, systems-based interventions, and school-based vaccine clinics offer a variety of ways to address the barriers to HPV vaccination. A diverse and culturally appropriate approach to promoting vaccine uptake has the potential to significantly improve vaccination rates in order to reach the Healthy People 2020 goal of over 80% vaccination in adolescent girls. This article reviews the disparities in HPV vaccination rates in girls in the United States, the influences of patients', physicians', and parents' attitudes on vaccine uptake, and the proposed interventions that may help the United States reach its goal for vaccine coverage.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a quality measure for endometrial cancer (EC) established by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the American College of Surgeons. Our study objective was to ...assess the proportion of EC cases performed by MIS at National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) centers and evaluate perioperative outcomes.
A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent surgical treatment for EC from 2013 to 2014 was conducted at four NCCN centers. Multivariable mixed logistic regression models analyzed factors associated with failure to perform MIS and perioperative complications.
In total 1621 patients were evaluated; 86.5% underwent MIS (robotic-assisted 72.5%, laparoscopic 20.9%, vaginal 6.6%). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with failure to undergo MIS were uterine size >12cm (Odds Ratio OR: 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–0.9), stage III (OR: 0.16, 95% CI 0.05–0.49) and IV disease (OR: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.22). For stage I/II disease, complications occurred in 5.1% of MIS and 21.7% of laparotomy cases (p<0.01). Laparotomy was associated with increases in any complication (OR: 6.0, 95% CI 3.3–10.8), gastrointestinal (OR: 7.2, 95% CI 2.6–19.5), wound (OR: 3.7, 95% CI 1.5–9.2), respiratory (OR 37.5, 95% CI 3.9–358.0), VTE (OR 10.5, 95% CI 1.3–82.8) and 30-day readmission (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–4.9) compared to MIS.
At NCCN-designated centers, the MIS hysterectomy rate in EC is higher than the published national average, with low perioperative complications. Previously identified disparities of age, race, and BMI were not observed. A proposed MIS hysterectomy benchmark of >80% in EC care is feasible when performed at high volume centers.
•Minimally invasive surgery is a quality measure for endometrial cancer.•NCCN centers have a high rate of minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer.•Disparities in surgical approach can be eliminated at high-volume centers.•A proposed MIS hysterectomy benchmark of >80% in endometrial cancer is feasible.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Abstract Objective As our understanding of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for endometrial cancer (EC) evolves, tailoring the technique to individual patients at high risk for failed mapping may ...result in a higher rate of successful bilateral mapping (SBM). The study objective is to identify patient, tumor, and surgeon factors associated with successful SBM in patients with EC and complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH). Methods From September 2012 to November 2014, women with EC or CAH underwent SLN mapping via cervical injection followed by robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy (RA-TLH) at a tertiary care academic center. Completion lymphadenectomy and ultrastaging were performed according to an institutional protocol. Patient demographics, tumor and surgeon/intraoperative variables were prospectively collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed evaluating factors known or hypothesized to impact the rate of successful lymphatic mapping. Results RA-TLH and SLN mapping was performed in 111 women; 93 had EC and 18 had CAH. Eighty women had low grade and 31 had high grade disease. Overall, at least one SLN was identified in 85.6% of patients with SBM in 62.2% of patients. Dye choice (indocyanine green versus isosulfan blue), odds ratio (OR: 4.5), body mass index (OR: 0.95), and clinically enlarged lymph nodes (OR: 0.24) were associated with SBM rate on multivariate analyses. The use of indocyanine green dye was particularly beneficial in patients with a body mass index greater than 30. Conclusion Injection dye, BMI, and clinically enlarged lymph nodes are important considerations when performing sentinel lymph node mapping for EC.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between lymphopenia and survival in women with cervical cancer treated with primary chemoradiation. Methods A single institution, retrospective analysis ...of patients with stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer who received upfront chemoradiation from 1998 to 2013 was performed. Complete blood counts from pre-treatment to 36 months post-treatment were analyzed. Lymphopenia and known prognostic factors were evaluated for an association with progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results Seventy-one patients met study criteria for whom 47 (66%) had a documented total lymphocyte count (TLC) two months after initiating chemoradiation. FIGO stage distribution was 6% Stage I, 46% Stage II, 45% Stage III and 3% Stage IV. Pre-treatment TLC was abnormal (< 1000 cells/mm3 ) in 15% of patients. The mean reduction in TLC was 70% two months after initiating chemoradiation. Severe post-treatment lymphopenia (TLC < 500 cells/mm3 ) was observed in 53% of patients; they experienced inferior median OS (21.2 vs 45.0 months, P = 0.03) and similar 25th percentile PFS (6.3 vs 7.7 months, P = 0.06) compared to patients without severe lymphopenia. Multivariate analysis demonstrated pre-treatment TLC ≥ 1000 cells/mm3 and post-treatment TLC > 500 cells/mm3 had a 77% (HR: 0.23; 95%CI 0.05–1.03; P = 0.053) and 58% decrease in hazards of death (HR: 0.42; 95%CI 0.12–1.46; P = 0.17) respectively. Conclusion More than half of cervical cancer patients treated with chemoradiation experienced severe and prolonged lymphopenia. Although statistical significance was not reached, the findings suggest that pre- and post-treatment lymphopenia may be associated with decreased survival. Further research is warranted, given that lymphopenia could be a reversible prognostic factor.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Women with advanced-stage, low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSC) have low chemotherapy response rates and poor overall survival. Most LGSC tumors overexpress hormone receptors, which represent a ...potential treatment target. Our study objective was to determine the outcomes of patients with advanced-stage LGSC treated with primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hormone therapy (HT).
A retrospective study was performed at two academic cancer centers. Patients with Stage II–IV LGSC underwent either primary or interval CRS followed by adjuvant HT between 2004 and 2016. Gynecologic pathologists reviewed all cases. Two-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.
Twenty-seven patients were studied; primary CRS followed by HT were administered in 26, while 1 patient had neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by CRS and HT. The median patient age was 47.5, and patients had Stage II (n=2), Stage IIIA (n=6), Stage IIIC (n=18), and Stage IV (n=1) disease. Optimal cytoreduction to no gross residual was achieved in 85.2%. Ninety six percent of tumors expressed estrogen receptors, while only 32% expressed progesterone receptors. Letrozole was administered post operatively in 55.5% cases, anastrozole in 37.1% and tamoxifen in 7.4%. After a median follow up of 41months, only 6 patients (22.2%) have developed a tumor recurrence and two patients have died of disease. Median PFS and OS have not yet been reached, but 2-year PFS and OS were 82.8% and 96.3%, respectively, and 3-year PFS and OS were 79.0% and 92.6%, respectively.
Our series describes the initial experience with cytoreductive surgery and hormonal monotherapy for women with Stage II–IV primary ovarian LGSC. While surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, chemotherapy may not be necessary in patients with advanced-stage disease who receive adjuvant hormonal therapy. A cooperative group, Phase III trial is planned to define the optimal therapy for women with this ovarian carcinoma subtype.
•Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSC) accounts for 10% of all epithelial ovarian cancers.•LGSC tumors express abundant hormone receptors and are notoriously chemoresistant.•We describe the first experience using surgery and hormonal monotherapy (HRT) in the primary setting.•Women with advanced-stage, primary LGSC experienced excellent recurrence and survival rates.•While surgery is the mainstay of treatment, chemotherapy may be unnecessary when HRT is used.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Abstract Objective. To assess the morbidity and mortality associated with extensive upper abdominal surgery (EUAS) performed during primary cytoreduction for advanced ovarian carcinoma. Methods. We ...identified all patients who underwent EUAS during primary cytoreduction for advanced ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer at our institution from 1/01 to 12/06. Major grade 3–5 complications were those that led to invasive radiologic intervention, re-operation, unplanned ICU admission, chronic disability, or death within 30 days of surgery. Results. There were 141 eligible patients, with a median age of 60 years (range, 38–82). The majority of patients had stage IIIC disease, 103 (73%); serous histology, 131 (93%); and ascites, 118 (84%). There were 229 EUAS procedures performed—diaphragm peritonectomy, 101 (72%); splenectomy, 45 (32%); full-thickness diaphragm resection, 19 (14%); partial hepatectomy, 18 (13%); distal pancreatectomy, 17 (12%); cholecystectomy, 15 (11%); and resection of porta hepatis tumor, 14 (10%). Cytoreductive outcomes were: no gross residual, 42 (30%); residual ≤ 1 cm, 85 (60%); and residual > 1 cm, 14 (10%). Grade 3–5 complications occurred in 31 (22%) patients, including 2 mortalities (1.4%). In 21/31 (68%), the complication was successfully managed with percutaneous drainage of infected or non-infected collections. Overall median survival for all patients was 57 months. Conclusions. Rates of major morbidity and mortality following EUAS for primary cytoreduction were 22% and 1.4%, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of complications were readily managed by percutaneous drainage of collections. With an overall median survival of 57 months in a cohort of patients with a large tumor burden, this rate of morbidity and mortality appears acceptable.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate gynecologic cancer treatments in HIV-infected women for adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and to describe survival by adherence to guidelines.
...DESIGN:Beyond cervical cancer, there are little data on treatment and outcomes for these women. This is a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected women with gynecologic cancers.
METHODS:HIV-infected women with gynecologic cancers from 2000 to 2015 were identified at two urban, comprehensive cancer centers. Chart reviews extracted demographic, HIV, and cancer-related variables. Cancer treatment was evaluated for adherence to NCCN guidelines. Overall survival was compared between those who received NCCN adherent and nonadherent cancer care.
RESULTS:Fifty-seven women were identified; 15 vulvar (26%), 26 cervical (46%), nine ovarian (16%), and seven endometrial (12%) cancers. Median time from HIV to cancer diagnosis was 8.5 years, and 88% of women were black. Thirty patients (53%) had stage I, and 27 (47%) had stage II–IV disease. Overall, 28 women (49%) received NCCN-adherent care; 22 of 30 stage I (73%) and six of 27 stage II–IV patients (22%). Among 29 women not receiving NCCN-adherent care, 69% were due to patient-related factors or toxicity. Among women with II–IV cancers, 48-month survival was higher in women who received NCCN-adherent care than those who did not (60 versus 28%).
CONCLUSION:Most HIV-infected women with advanced gynecologic cancers did not receive NCCN-adherent care and had worse survival compared to those who did. Focus on treatment-related toxicities and patient-related barriers to cancer care are necessary in this population.
To evaluate the capability of a novel sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping algorithm to reduce the need for pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) in patients with low-grade (G1–2) endometrial cancer (LGEC).
...Patients with LGEC underwent evaluation according to a novel lymphatic assessment algorithm during hysterectomy with SLN biopsy at two academic gynecologic oncology programs. Side-specific PLND was only performed if ipsilateral SLN mapping failed and high-risk uterine features were identified on frozen section (FS). Side-specific and PLND rates were compared to theoretical PLND rates based on the NCCN EC SLN mapping algorithm.
Since 11/2015, 113 LGEC patients have been managed according to the algorithm. SLN mapping was bilateral (81%), unilateral (12%), or neither (6%). Nine patients (8.0%) had LN metastases identified. Of the 21 patients requiring intraoperative FS due to failed SLN mapping, high-risk uterine features were identified in eight (38%). These patients underwent either bilateral (2) or unilateral (6) PLND. Side-specific and overall PLND rates were 5.3% and 7.1%, respectively. If all patients with failed mapping had undergone PLND according to the NCCN algorithm, side-specific and overall PLND rates would have been higher, 12.4% and 18.6%, respectively (P=0.01). All patients who failed to map and did not undergo side-specific PLND had low-risk uterine features on final pathology.
Lymphatic assessment using SLN mapping followed by selective FS to determine need for PLND is feasible. When compared to the NCCN algorithm, this novel “Reflex Frozen Section” strategy eliminates PLND in patients at lowest risk for metastasis without compromising identification of metastatic nodal disease.
•A novel SLN mapping algorithm for low grade endometrial cancer is reported.•The Reflex Frozen Section SLN algorithm results in low rates of PLND.•The Reflex Frozen Section SLN algorithm identifies patients at risk for metastasis.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
To identify risk factors for surgical site infection and to define rates associated with cytoreductive surgery before and after implementation of an infection prevention bundle.
We conducted a ...prospective quality improvement study. Patients who underwent ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer cytoreductive surgery at an academic tertiary care center from April 2014 to April 2016 were prospectively enrolled. Patient demographics, surgical variables, and surgical site infection rates were compared with a historical cohort after introduction of a 5-point infection prevention bundle, including: 1) preoperative and intraoperative skin preparation with 4% chlorhexidine and intraoperative vaginal preparation with 4% chlorhexidine; 2) preoperative use of oral antibiotics and mechanical bowel preparation; 3) appropriate timing of intraoperative antibiotics; 4) adoption of enhanced sterile surgical techniques for colon procedures and incisional closure; and 5) perioperative incision management.
During the study period, 219 women underwent surgery: 91 prebundle and 128 treated in the postbundle period. Stage, body mass index, proportion of patients undergoing colon or upper abdominal surgery, and estimated blood loss were not different between the cohorts. Overall, the surgical site infection rate prebundle was 18 (20%); this was reduced to four (3%) postbundle (odds ratio OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.037-0.53; P<.001). Patients who underwent a colon resection prebundle had an infection rate of 14 (33%) compared with three (7%) in the postbundle group (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.037-0.53; P<.001). Additionally, rates of surgical site infection-related hospital readmission were also lower in the postbundle (4/128 3%) compared with the prebundle group (12/91 13%; P=.005).
Infection is common after ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery. Implementation of a 5-point surgical site infection prevention bundle in women undergoing ovarian cancer operations was associated with dramatically decreased infection rates and lower hospital readmission rates.
Abstract Objectives Thirty-day readmission is used as a quality measure for patient care and Medicare-based hospital reimbursement. The primary study objective was to describe the 30-day readmission ...rate to an academic gynecologic oncology service. Secondary objectives were to identify risk factors and costs related to readmission. Methods This was a retrospective, concurrent cohort study of all surgical admissions to an academic, high volume gynecologic oncology service during a two-year period (2013–2014). Data were collected on patient demographics, medical comorbidities, psychosocial risk factors, and results from a hospital discharge screening survey. Mixed logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with 30-day readmission and costs of readmission were assessed. Results During the two-year study period, 1605 women underwent an index surgical admission. Among this population, a total of 177 readmissions (11.0%) in 135 unique patients occurred. In a surgical subpopulation with > 1 night stay, a readmission rate of 20.9% was observed. The mean interval to readmission was 11.8 days (SD 10.7) and mean length of readmission stay was 5.1 days (SD 5.0). Factors associated with readmission included radical surgery for ovarian cancer (OR 2.87) or cervical cancer (OR 4.33), creation of an ostomy (OR 11.44), a Charlson score of ≥ 5 (OR 2.15), a language barrier (OR 3.36), a median household income in the lowest quartile (OR 6.49), and a positive discharge screen (OR 2.85). The mean cost per readmission was $25,416 (SD $26,736), with the highest costs associated with gastrointestinal complications at $32,432 (SD $32,148). The total readmission-related costs during the study period were $4,523,959. Conclusions Readmissions to a high volume gynecologic oncology service were costly and related to radical surgery for ovarian and cervical cancer as well as to medical, socioeconomic and psychosocial patient variables. These data may inform interventional studies aimed at decreasing unplanned readmissions in gynecologic oncology surgical populations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK