Localized Uterine Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma 4 Years after Curative Resection / 대한내과학회지

Extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be found in various organs, but metastasis to the female genital tract is extremely rare. A 48-year-old woman who had undergone curative left lobectomy for small HCC 4 years earlier was admitted because of sequential alpha-fetoprotein elevation. Upon abdominal MRI and hepatic angiography, no evidence of HCC recurrence was found in the remnant liver. However, a positron emission tomography CT scan showed a hypermetabolic lesion in the uterine fundus, which was revealed as metastatic HCC after total hysterectomy. This is, to our knowledge, the first documented case of metastatic uterine tumor that originated from HCC without intrahepatic recurrence.

Localized Uterine Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma 4 Years after Curative Resection / 대한내과학회지

Extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be found in various organs, but metastasis to the female genital tract is extremely rare. A 48-year-old woman who had undergone curative left lobectomy for small HCC 4 years earlier was admitted because of sequential alpha-fetoprotein elevation. Upon abdominal MRI and hepatic angiography, no evidence of HCC recurrence was found in the remnant liver. However, a positron emission tomography CT scan showed a hypermetabolic lesion in the uterine fundus, which was revealed as metastatic HCC after total hysterectomy. This is, to our knowledge, the first documented case of metastatic uterine tumor that originated from HCC without intrahepatic recurrence.

Transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic surgery of ectopic pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic surgery of ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on six patients who underwent transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancies. RESULTS: The median age of 6 cases was 33.5 years (range, 32 to 36), and the median body mass index was 20.6 kg/m2 (range, 16.5 to 28.7). The median largest diameter of G-sac was 4.8 cm (range, 3.0 to 5.4). Intracorporeal rupture and hemoperitoneum were accompanied in all cases. The median time needed for the surgery was 77.5 minutes (range, 59 to 95). The median estimated blood loss was 40 mL (range, 20 to 50). The median postoperative hospital day was 2 days (range, 1 to 3). There were no complications on postoperative course and follow-up. CONCLUSION: Transumbilical single-port access laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy was feasible and safe. This approach might be reasonable alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery using 3 or 4 port in the management of ectopic pregnancy.

Efficacy of taxane and platinum-based chemotherapy guided by extreme drug resistance assay in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of taxane and platinum-based chemotherapy guided by extreme drug resistance assay (EDRA) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled, who were diagnosed as epithelial ovarian cancer, tubal cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma and received both debulking surgery and EDRA in Asan Medical Center between August 2004 and August 2006. Another thirty-nine patients were enrolled, who did not receive EDRA as control. Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 5 were administered as primary combination chemotherapy to both EDRA group and the control group. In the EDRA group, paclitaxel was replaced by docetaxel 75 mg/m2 if a patient showed extreme drug resistance (EDR) to paclitaxel and not to docetaxel. Carboplatin was replaced by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 if a patient showed EDR to carboplatin and not to cisplatin. If only one drug showed low drug resistance (LDR), it was allowed to add another drug which showed LDR such as gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2. CT scan was performed every three cycles and CA-125 was checked at each cycle. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in overall response rate between EDRA group and the control group (84.5% vs. 71.8%, p=0.107). However, 93.8% of patients in EDRA group did not show EDR to at least one drug and its response rate was significantly higher than that of the control group (93.3% vs. 71.8%, p=0.023). CONCLUSION: we could choose a combination of taxane and platinum which did not show EDR and could obtain a good response in the patients with ovarian cancer.

Clinical significance of E. coli O26 isolates on urine specimen of urinary tract infection / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Escherichia coli (E. coli) O26 has been the most common type of non-O157 human isolates and it has been related with urinary tract infection and its sequelae. So we investigated the clinical significance of E. coli O26 among the cases of urinary tract infection. METHODS: From January, 2005 to December, 2007, the 22 E. coli isolates that were related with urinary tract infection were analyzed. The isolates were identified biochemically by Vitek 1. We performed antisera test by O157, O26, O111 diagnostic antisera about the 22 E. coli isolates. We reviewed clinical history of the same patients retrospectively. RESULTS: 331 E. coli isolates in the urine specimen were isolated from January, 2005 to December, 2007. 175 E. coli isolates that were related with urinary tract infection were analyzed by O157, O26, O111 antisera test. As a result, 22 isolates (13.5%) were O26 antisera positive. There were 8, 3, and 2 cases of watery diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura repectively. CONCLUSION: In our study, because E. coli O26 was pathogenic and developed major complications, we concluded that patients with urinary tract infection with E. coli. should examine the antisera test about E. coli O157 and O26.

The clinicopathologic features of six cases of primary malignant cervical lymphoma / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical information for the best diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant cervical lymphoma based on the information obtained from these cases. METHODS: Between 1989 and 2006, six women with primary malignant cervical lymphoma were diagnosed and treated at our institution. Data were obtained from their medical records and were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age at the time of diagnosis was 63 (range 19-74). The chief complaint was vaginal bleeding in five women and the voiding difficulty for one woman. five of six patient had the cervical lesions (erosion and tumoral mass), while the other was non specific cervical findings. The Papanicolaou test was performed on three women, one of whom was HSIL. All six patients were confirmed with cervical lymphoma through the pathologic diagnosis. Surgical treatment (radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and para-aortic lymph node dissection) was performed in one case, simple hysterectomy with complementary chemotherapy in two, and chemotherapy in one. Two patients refused treatment. Among four patients treated, one experienced recurrence in an ovary and the others have remained in remission. CONCLUSION: Primary malignant cervical lymphoma is a rare malignancy. Physicians can miss early detection of this disease because of its 'silent' symptoms and very low incidence. The accumulated data regarding this tumor can make it easy to detect at an early stage, thereby allowing it to be successfully treated. Further studies should be conducted to obtain further information regarding the cervical lymphoma.

Spontaneous uterine rupture from placenta percreta at 33 weeks' gestation after a single gynecologic surgery / 대한산부인과학회지

The current case describes a case of uterine rupture from placenta percreta in a woman who had only a single gynecologic surgery. We met the case of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) with hemoperitoneum and found uterine rupture from placenta percreta by CT imaging. A 25-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency service for acute upper abdominal pain and severe hypotension at 33 weeks' gestation. She had undergone a single pelviscopic surgery due to cornual pregnancy 11 months previously. Ultrasonogram detected IUFD and hemoperitoneum. CT showed uterine rupture from placenta percreta. An emergency laparotomy was performed to correct the defect. The current case presents that placenta percreta can occur in a woman who had a single gynecologic surgery and clinicians should consider possible placenta percreta in diagnosing pregnant patients who present with acute abdominal pain and shock.

Primary Invasive Vulvar Cancer, Retrospective Study of 23 cases / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The vulvar cancer is an uncommon disease among female population. Because of its rare incidence, sufficient clinical studies have not been accomplished. However, the prevelance of vulvar cancer will continue to increase because of rapid growth of senile population. The goal of this study is to review the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with vulvar cancer through the analysis of their clinical data. METHODS: We have performed a retrospective clinical study on 23 patients diagnosed with primary invasive vulvar cancer at Asan medical center from May, 1989 to December, 2003. We reviewed demographic data, pathologic findings, treatments, stages, complications, prognosis and survival time. RESULTS: The mean age was 58.9 years. The most common symptoms were palpable mass (69.5%) and itching sense (21.7%). Among the 23 patients, 21 patients have underwent operation, and two patients who refused to receive operation underwent radiotherapy only. 3 of 21 patients who were surgically treated underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 5 patients, adjuvant radiotherapy. Histopathologically, squamous cell carcinoma (69.5%) was dominant, and 15 patients turned out to have stage II disease or greater (60.8%). Among the 21 patients who have underwent operation, postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (38.0%) and 4 of them had underwent radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin lymph node dissection. The most common postoperative complication was wound breakdown (23.8%). CONCLUSION: Although surgery is the principal treatment in vulvar cancer, radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin lymph node dissection more often result in complications than other operations such as wide local excision and hemivulvectomy. Considering the mortality and morbidity, the prognosis of vulvar cancer is poor, but early diagnosis and adequate treatment according to each individual will improve the outcome and prognosis of vulvar cancer.

Comparative study for laparoscopico-vaginal radical hysterectomy with abdominal radical hysterectomy in patients with early cervical cancer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopico-vaginal (modified) radical hysterectomy and to compare surgical parameters and recurrence rate of these with those of conventional abdominal radical hysterectomy. METHODS: From October 1997 to March 2002, we have performed 37 cases of LVMRH (laparoscopico- vaginal modified radical hysterectomy) +PLND (pelvic lymph node dissection) and 47 cases of LVRH (laparoscopico-vaginal radical hysterectomy) with paraaortic lymph node sampling +PLND. Inclusion criteria for laparoscopic group were patients with FIGO stage IA1 to IB1 which exocervical mass size was less than 2 cm clinically. As a control group, we selected 46 cases for the MRH group and 96 cases for the RH group. These groups had the same FIGO stage and the same tumor size less than 2 cm or tumor volume calculated by MRI being less than 4.2 cm3, while the age for each group were identically matched with the laparoscopic group. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery, the number of lymph nodes and the rate of perioperative and postoperative complications were similar in both the laparoscopic and the conventional laparotomy group. The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients treated by laparoscopic surgery (LVMRH vs. MRH; 9 vs. 15, LVRH vs. RH; 13 vs. 21 days). No lymph node metastasis was reported in both LVMRH and MRH group. No recurrences but only one patient in MRH group were found in both groups during the median follow up of 34.5 and 43.5 months, respectively. The positive rates of pelvic lymph node metastasis in both RH groups were similarly 6.4%. Four (8.5%) of 47 LVRH patients and two (2.1%) of 96 RH patients had recurrences. However, in patients who had tumor volume being less than 4.2 cm3, recurrence rate was 2.5% (1/40) and 42.9% (3/7) in those with tumor volume larger than 4.2 cm3. There was one death in a patient with pulmonary metastasis who took LVRH in spite of vigorous chemotherapy. Three year progression free survival rates were 96.7% in LVRH group (tumor volume4.2 cm3) who were treated by LVRH had higher recurrence rate compared to those by conventional RH. It is concluded that laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of cervical cancer would be better to be limited to patients with early disease who have the largest tumor diameter less than 2 cm or tumor volume less than 4.2 cm3 carefully measured by MRI.

Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors: Ovarian Function after Conservative Surgery and the Importance of Lymph Node Evaluation / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term fertility and reproductive outcomes after conservative surgery, to observe the recurrence pattern and to elucidate the significance of retroperitoneal lymph node evaluation in patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of fifty patients who had been diagnosed as malignant ovarian germ cell tumors from 1991 to 2001 at Asan Medical Center. RESULTS: During on the median follow-up of 54 months, six patients recurred and five patients died. Out of the six recurred patients, three patients (50%) were found to have retroperitoneal lymph nodes involved, especially in patients with dysgerminoma and one patient contralateral ovary involved after conservative surgery. Out of the forty patients who had received conservative surgery, twenty-two (55.0%) had stage Ia tumors and thirteen (32.5%) had stage II and III. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed for thirty- one patients (77.5%) and comprehensive surgical staging including retroperitoneal lymph node evaluation was performed for six patients (15%). During chemotherapy, fifteen patients out of nineteen with normal menstrual cycles became amenorrheic but most of them (13/15) recovered their normal menstrual cycles and gave birth to five healthy babies. Out of the thirteen patients with advanced disease who had received conservative surgery, two patients died after recurrences and one died of disease progression. CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery is the treatment of choice in young women with early stage disease, but in case of advanced disease, it requires prudent decision-making. Considering conservative surgery, retroperitoneal lymph node evaluation is needed, especially in patients with dysgerminoma.

A Clinical Study of Pelvic Actinomycosis / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Actinomycosis is a rare entity, especially in the female genital tract, which presents some difficulties in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. Pelvic actinomycosis can mimick pelvic or intra- abdominal malignancy leading to mutilating surgical exercise. The authors surveyed 12 cases of pelvic actinomycosis for advice to detection and treatment of the pelvic actinomycosis. METHODS: The authors studied retrospectively 12 cases which have admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center for pelvic actinomycosis from January. 1, 1991 to December. 31, 2000. RESULTS: 41.7% of the cases occurred in 31-40 years age group, 91.7% of cases associated with intrauterine devices for 5-21 years. Most common complaints were abdominal pain and palpable mass, and other complaints were vaginal discharge, bowel habit change, nausea, vomiting and fever. The actinomycosis lesions involved one or both ovaries in all 12 cases. In 11 cases, the lesions extended to other areas, such as the uterus, parametrium, pelvic walls, cul-de-sac, colon and bladder. All patients underwent surgery that included removal of the lesions with ipsilateral or bilateral adnexa and, in specific cases, with extension of the lesions, hysterectomy, colostomy and primary repair of bladder or rectum. After surgery, 9 patients were treated with penicillin and the duration of treatment was 12 months in 2 patients, 6 months in 3, < or = 3 months in 3 and one patient was being treated for 2 months. Other 3 patients were treated with metronidazole, cephalosporin and aminoglycoside during 1-3 weeks. All patients were alive and well. CONCLUSION: It is needed to make an earlier and more correct diagnosis of actinomycosis, and high-dose intravenous antibiotic therapy can reduce the risk of nearby pelvic structure injuries. In cases of pelvic actinomycosis where the abscess can be completely resectable, a shorter period of antibiotic therapy can be required.

Comparison Between Paclitaxel-Carboplatin and Paclitaxel-Cisplatin as a Combination Chemotherapy in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of cispaltin and carboplatin each in combination with paclitaxel in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who had not taken paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1994 and October 1999, in department of obstetrics and gynecology, Asan medical Center, 42 recurrent ovarian cancer patients who had initial platinum-based chemotherapy except paclitaxel were treated with paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. One group was 14 patients treated with paclitaxel-cisplatin and the other group was 28 patients treated with paclitaxel-carboplatin. Disease free interval before recurrence was 6 months at least. Patients received paclitaxel 135mg/m2 followed by either cisplatin 75mg/m2 or carboplatin 300mg/m2. The schedule was repeated every 3 weeks for at least 6 cycle. Response was evaluated by physical examination, serial serum CA 125 measurement, chest PA before each cycle, and abdomino-pelvic CT scan every 3 cycles. RESULTS: As paclitaxel-cisplaitin group, with a median follow-up of 34.5 months (range, 9-60 months), 1 patient had complete response, 6 patients had partial response, 3 patients had stable disease and 4 patients had persistent disease, overall response rate was 50%, mean survival duration was 40 months. As paclitaxel-carboplatin group, with a median follow-up of 25.5 months (7-36 months), 4 patients had complete response, 11 patients had partial response, 6 patients had stable disease, and 7 patients had persistent disease, overall response rate was 53.4%, mean survival of 24 months. As grade of side effects in each group, we evaluated leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, vomiting, fever, neurological abnormality, and renal abnormality. The rate of grade 3 to 4 leukopenia was 11% in paclitaxel-cisplatin arm and 17% paclitaxel-arboplatin, in arm. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the combined chemotherapy of paclitaxel followed by cisplatin or carboplatin is highly effective and safe in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who had taken no previous paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.