Pelvic lymph node dissection has been the standard of care for patients with early cervical cancer. Sentinel node (SN) mapping is safe and feasible and may increase the detection of metastatic ...disease, but benefits of omitting pelvic lymph node dissection in terms of decreased morbidity have not been demonstrated.
In an open-label study, patients with early cervical carcinoma (FIGO 2009 stage IA2 to IIA1) were randomly assigned to SN resection alone (SN arm) or SN and pelvic lymph node dissection (SN + PLND arm). SN resection was followed by radical surgery of the tumour (radical hysterectomy or radical trachelectomy). The primary end-point was morbidity related to the lymph node dissection; 3-year recurrence-free survival was a secondary end-point.
A total of 206 patients were eligible and randomly assigned to the SN arm (105 patients) or SN + PLND arm (101 patients). Most patients had stage IB1 lesion (87.4%). No false-negative case was observed in SN + PLND arm. Lymphatic morbidity was significantly lower in the SN arm (31.4%) than in the SN + PLND arm (51.5%; p = 0.0046), as was the rate of postoperative neurological symptoms (7.8% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.01, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with significant lymphoedema between the two groups. During the 6-month postoperative period, the difference in morbidity decreased over time. The 3-year recurrence-free survival was not significantly different (92.0% in SN arm and 94.4% in SN + PLND arm).
SN resection alone is associated with early decreased lymphatic morbidity when compared with SN + PLND in early cervical cancer.
•Randomised study comparing sentinel node biopsy and pelvic lymph node dissection.•Sentinel node biopsy alone is associated with decreased minor lymphatic morbidity.•No increased risk of recurrence while omitting pelvic lymph node dissection.
•There is a strong tendency towards undertreatment of elder patients with cervix cancer.•Cervix cancer treatment is a true challenge in elder women.•Some technical advances increase the tolerability ...of the treatment in elder patients.•The geriatric oncologist is a partner of choice in this situation.•There are few reasons to justify that elder women do not receive an appropriate treatment.
With population ageing, cancer treatments in elder patients is becoming a true public health care issue. There is an authentic dilemma between patient’s frailty, residual life expectancy and the toll that take anticancer treatments. Since elder patients are almost always excluded from clinical trials, it is hard to get robust scientific data on the tolerability of oncologic treatments and to set in place recommendations.
Cervix cancer is traditionally diagnosed in younger women but it has a 2nd incidence peak between 60 and 70 years old. Cervix cancer in elder patients is a subject to many questions in terms of screening and is a therapeutic challenge.
This article reviews literature data on these different aspects, from screening to surgery, from radiotherapy to brachytherapy, from chemotherapy to supportive care, from immunotherapy to geriatric assessment. We tried to show how modern therapeutic innovations may benefit elder patients. Expected benefits in terms of efficacy and toxicity may overcome the long-lasting tendency to undertreatment in elder patients and improve their quality of life after cancer treatment.
In 2020, there seems to be less and less reasons justifying that elder women with cervix cancer may not receive the appropriate treatment.
The objective of this study was to determine clinical, tumoral and surgical factors associated with successful bilateral sentinel lymph node mapping (SBM) in early-stage cervical cancer.
We performed ...an ancillary work on the data of two prospective trials on SLN biopsy for FIGO IA-IIA cervical cancer (SENTICOL I & II). Patients having Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for early-stage cervical cancer were included between 2005 and 2012 from 28 French oncologic centers. SLN was detected by a combined labeling technique (blue and isotopic).
405 patients were included for analysis: SLNs were identified on at least one side of the pelvis in 381 patients (94.1%) and bilaterally in 326 patients (80.5%). The mean age was 45.4 years 22–85 years. Most patients had IB1 pathologic FIGO 2018 stage (81.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Surgeries were mainly performed by minimally invasive approach (368 patients – 90.9%). By multivariate analysis, lower SBM rate was significantly associated with Age ≥70 years (ORa = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.001–0.28, p = 0.004), tumor size larger than 20 mm (ORa = 0.46,95%CI = 0.21–0.99, p = 0.048) and Body-mass index higher than 30 kg/m2 (ORa = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.12–0.65, p = 0.003). SBM rate was significantly higher in high skills centers (>5patients/year) (ORa = 8.05, 95%CI = 2.06–31.50, p = 0.003) and in SENTICOL II (2009–2012) compared to SENTICOL I (2005–2007) (ORa = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.23–5.51, p = 0.01).
In early-stage cervical cancer, bilateral SLN detection rates is lower in patients aged more than 70years, patients with BMI≥30 kg/m2 and larger tumor ≥20 mm whereas stronger experience of SLN biopsy technique improves bilateral SLN detection.
•Bilateral detection is required to increase sensitivity and decrease false-negative rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy.•Obesity may decrease bilateral detection of sentinel lymph nodes.•Bilateral detection of sentinel lymph nodes is lower in patients aged more than 70 years.•Failure of bilateral detection of sentinel lymph nodes is more frequent with tumor size larger than 20 mm.•Experience and higher surgical skills improved sentinel lymph nodes detection.
The purpose of this study was to describe sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) topography in patients with early-stage cervical cancer and to determine factors associated with atypical lymphatic drainage ...pathway (LDP).
We analyzed the data of two prospective multicentric trials on SLN biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I and II) in women undergoing surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. SLN detection was realized with a combined labeling technique (Patent blue and radioactive tracer). Patients having bilateral SLN detection were included. Univariate and Multivariate analysis were performed by patients and by side to assess clinical and pathologic factors that may predict atypical LDP.
Between January 2005 and July 2012, 326 patients with 1104 intraoperative detected SLNs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The SLNs were mainly located in the interiliac or external iliac area in 83.2%. The other localizations were: 9.2% in the common iliac area, 3.9% in the parametrium, 1.6% in the promontory area, 1.5% in the paraaortic area and 0.5% in other areas. Thirty-five patients (10.7%) had atypical SLN without SLN in typical area on one or both sides. In multivariate analysis, tumor size ≥20 mm appeared as an independent factor of having at least one exclusive atypical LDP (ORa = 3.95 95%CI = 1.60–9.78, p = 0.003). Multiparity decreased significantly the probability of having at least one exclusive atypical LDP (ORa = 0.16 95%CI = 0.07–0.39, p < 0.0001).
Tumor size larger than 20 mm and nulliparity increase the risk of having exclusive atypical LDP in early-stage cervical cancer.
•Sentinel lymph nodes are mostly found in the interiliac and external iliac area.•Atypical topography of sentinel lymph nodes concerns up to 24.5% of patients.•Sentinel lymph nodes in atypical areas are more frequent with tumor size ≥20 mm.•Multiparity may have an impact on uterine lymphatic drainage.•Sentinel lymph node biopsy may detect metastatic nodes in aberrant topography.
Abstract Introduction Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) has been introduced as novel treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Only proper patient selection, stringent safety ...protocol and careful surgery allow for a secure procedure. We hereby report the essentials for safe implementation. Methods All consecutive procedures within 20 months after PIPAC implementation were analyzed with regards to practical and surgical aspects. Special emphasis was laid on modifications of technique and safety measures during the implementation process with systematic use of a dedicated checklist. Further, surgical difficulty was documented by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results 127 PIPAC procedures were performed in 58 patients from January 2015 until October 2016. 81% of patients had at least one previous laparotomy. Median operation time was 91 min (87-103) for the first 20 cases, 93 min (IQR 88-107) for PIPAC21-50, and 103 min (IQR 91-121) for the following 77 procedures. Primary and secondary non-access occurred in 3 patients (2%), all of them having prior hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Using open Hasson technique, one single bowel lesion occurred, which was the only intraoperative complication. One 5mm and another 10/12mm trocar were used in 88% of procedures while additional trocars were needed in 12%. No leak of cytostatics was observed and no procedure needed to be stopped. VAS for overall difficulty of the procedure was 3±2.4, and 3±2.9 and 3±2.5, respectively, for abdominal access and intraoperative staging. Conclusions With standardized surgical approach and dedicated safety checklist, PIPAC can be safely introduced in clinical routine with minimal learning curve.
We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of frozen-section pathologic examination (FSE) of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.
Two French prospective multicentric ...database on SLN biopsy for cervical cancer (SENTICOL I and II) were analysed. Patients with IA to IIA1 2018 FIGO stage, who underwent SLN biopsy with both FSE and ultrastaging examination were included.
Between 2005 and 2012, 313 patients from 25 centers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Metastatic involvement of SLN was diagnosed in 52 patients (16.6%). Macrometastases, micrometastases and isolated tumor cells (ITCs) were found in 27, 12 and 13 patients respectively. Among the 928 SLNs analysed, FSE identified 23 SLNs with macrometastases in 20 patients and 5 SLNs with micrometastases in 2 patients whereas no ITCs were identified. Ultrastaging of negative SLNs by FSE found macrometastases, micrometastases and ITCs in additional 7, 11 and 17 SLNs. Ultrastaging increased significantly the rate of patients with positive SLN from 7% to 16.6% (p < 0.0001).
The sensitivity and the negative predictive value of FSE were 42.3% and 89.7% respectively or 56.4% and 94.1% if ITCs were excluded. False-negative cases were more frequent with tumor size ≥ 20 mm (OR = 4.46, 95%IC = 1.45–13.66, p = 0.01) and preoperative brachytherapy (OR = 4.47, 95%IC = 1.37–14.63, p = 0.01) and less frequent with patients included in higher volume center (>5 patients/year) (OR = 0.09, 95%IC = 0.02–0.51, p = 0.01).
FSE of SLN had a low sensitivity for detecting micrometastases and ITCs and a high negative predictive value for SLN status. Clinical impact of false-negative cases has to be assessed by further studies.
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•Intraoperative sentinel lymph node assessment is crucial to determine the treatment strategy in cervical cancer.•Frozen section examination has a low sensitivity for detecting micrometastases.•False-negativity of frozen section analysis is more frequent with tumor size larger than 20 mm.•Accuracy of frozen section analysis of sentinel lymph node is better in high-volume centers.
The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy followed by radical surgery versus radical surgery alone in cervical cancer with tumor between 2 and 4 cm (FIGO 2018 ...IB2).
SENTICOL I and SENTICOL II were two French prospective multicentric trials evaluating sentinel node biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer between 2005 and 2012. Preoperative brachytherapy (low-dose rate or pulse-dose rate at the dose of 60Gy) could be performed 6 to 8 weeks prior to the radical hysterectomy, at the discretion of each center. SENTICOL I and SENTICOL II cohorts were retrospectively analysed to compare the outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy or upfront surgery in patients with IB2 cervical tumor.
A total of 104 patients were included: 55 underwent upfront radical hysterectomy and 49 underwent preoperative brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy. Patients with preoperative brachytherapy were more likely to have no residual disease (71.4% vs. 25.5%, p < 0.0001) and to be defined as low risk according to Sedlis criteria (83.3% vs. 51.2%, p < 0.0001). Adjuvant treatments were required less frequently in case of preoperative brachytherapy (14.3% vs. 54.5%, p < 0.0001). Patients with preoperative brachytherapy experienced more postoperative complications grade ≥ 3 (24.5% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.03). Patients with preoperative brachytherapy had better 5-year disease-free survival compared to patients who underwent surgery alone, 93.6% and 74.4% respectively (p = 0.04).
Although preoperative brachytherapy was significantly associated with more severe postoperative complications, better pathologic features were obtained on surgical specimens and led to a better 5-year disease-free survival in IB2 cervical cancer.
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•Pre-operative brachytherapy followed by radical hysterectomy was compared to upfront surgery for IB2 cervical cancer•Pre-operative brachytherapy was significantly associated to better pathological features on hysterectomy specimens.•Pre-operative brachytherapy was significantly associated to reduced rates of adjuvant treatments and better PFS.•Pre-operative brachytherapy however led to increased toxicity, probably because of outdated brachytherapy techniques.
To determine the effect of a 3-month course of clomiphene citrate (CC) on plasma testosterone (T) level and on semen parameters in 18 infertile men with low T level and normal or low gonadotropines ...level.
A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of men referred to a university fertility medicine unit for infertility management between January 2010 and March 2015.
Men treated with CC for at least 3 months were included if they presented with:
•infertility•plasma T level less than 11 nmol/l and low or normal FSH and LH levels•sperm concentration >0.1 millions/ml.
18 patients met the inclusion criteria. CC was prescribed for 3 months at the dose of 50 mg every 48 h. Plasma T level was assessed at baseline and after 1 month of CC administration. Semen parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of CC administration.
The median pre-treatment T level was 9.1 nmol/l; after 1 month of CC treatment the median post-treatment T level increased to 20.2 nmol/l (p = <0.001). Median baseline sperm concentration was 7 millions/ml with a median progressive motility of 18%. After 3 months of CC, the median post-treatment sperm concentration was 17.5 millions/ml (p = 0.024) and the median post-treatment progressive sperm motility was 18% (p = 0.40). Three natural pregnancies occurred during the treatment period.
CC is an effective and inexpensive treatment to increase plasma T level in infertile men with low T level and normal or low gonadotropines level. Our study suggests that CC could increase sperm concentration even in oligospermic infertile men, without, however, a significant effect on progressive sperm motility. More powered randomized controlled trials are needed to definitively assess CC effect on sperm parameters and on natural pregnancy rates.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to report nine patients of young women who underwent a surgical treatment of an accessory and cavitated uterine mass (ACUM) in our hospital between 2014 and ...2022 and review all cases described in the literature.
Material and methods
The principal outcomes measured are the imaging techniques used to determine the diagnosis, the type of surgery used and the post-operative evolution of symptoms. We also report and analyse the 79 patients found in the literature since 1996 in addition to our 9 patients.
Results
Surgical excision is the only long-lasting treatment. Small invasive surgery with laparoscopic access is the gold standard and most widely used (83.0%). Some new therapeutic procedures have been recently described of which ethanol sclerotherapy seems very promising. Post-operatively, 54.5% of patients have a complete relief of symptoms. MRI is the best imaging technique to identify ACUM. Finally, we refine the description of this pathology and give a more precise definition of it.
Conclusion
Through our literature review and the analysis of our cases, we want to underline an important diagnostic criterion of this pathology: the fallopian tube on the homolateral side of the ACUM never communicates with the latter. It is a capital element for differential diagnosis.
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