Practice guidelines for management of ovarian cancer in Korea: a Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology Consensus Statement / 부인종양

Since after 2006 when the first edition of practice guidelines for gynecologic oncologic cancer treatment was released, the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) has published the following editions on a regular basis to suggest the best possible standard care considering updated scientific evidence as well as medical environment including insurance coverage. The Guidelines Revision Committee was summoned to revise the second edition of KSGO practice guidelines, which was published in July 2010, and develop the third edition. The current guidelines cover strategies for diagnosis and treatment of primary and recurrent ovarian cancer. In this edition, we introduced an advanced format based on evidence-based medicine, collecting up-to-date data mainly from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library CENTRAL, and conducting a meta-analysis with systematic review. Eight key questions were raised by the committee members. For every key question, recommendations were developed by the consensus meetings and provided with evidence level and strength of the recommendation.

Surgical manual of the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group: ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers / 부인종양

The Surgery Treatment Modality Committee of the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group has determined to develop a surgical manual to facilitate clinical trials and to improve communication between investigators by standardizing and precisely describing operating procedures. The literature on anatomic terminology, identification of surgical components, and surgical techniques were reviewed and discussed in depth to develop a surgical manual for gynecologic oncology. The surgical procedures provided here represent the minimum requirements for participating in a clinical trial. These procedures should be described in the operation record form, and the pathologic findings obtained from the procedures should be recorded in the pathologic report form. Here, we describe surgical procedure for ovarian, fallopian tubal, and peritoneal cancers.

Proton Pump Inhibition Enhances the Cytotoxicity of Paclitaxel in Cervical Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate whether a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) could enhance chemosensitivity via the inhibition of vacuolar-type H⁺ ATPase (V-ATPase) in cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of V-ATPase was evaluated in 351 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human cervical cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry and compared with clinicopathologic risk factors for disease prognosis. The influence of cell proliferation and apoptosis following V-ATPase siRNA transfection or esomeprazole pretreatment was assessed in cervical cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that V-ATPase was expressed in about 60% of cervical cancer tissue samples (211/351), and the expression was predominantly found in adenocarcinoma histology (p=0.016). Among patients with initially bulky cervical cancer (n=89), those with V-ATPase expression had shorter disease-free survival (p=0.005) and overall survival (p=0.023). Co-treatment with V-ATPase siRNA or esomeprazole with paclitaxel significantly decreased the cell proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines, including HeLa and INT407, compared to cell lines treated with paclitaxel alone (p < 0.01). Moreover, V-ATPase siRNA or esomeprazole followed by paclitaxel significantly increased the expression of active caspase-3 in these cells compared to cells treated with paclitaxel alone (both, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: V-ATPase was predominantly expressed in cervical adenocarcinoma, and the expression of V-ATPases was associated with poor prognosis. The inhibition of V-ATPase via siRNA or PPI (esomeprazole) might enhance the chemosensitivity of paclitaxel in cervical cancer cells.

Development and Validation of the Korean Version of Hand-Foot Skin Reaction and Quality of Life Questionnaire (HF-QoL-K)

Given the growing number of cancer patients and the resulting increase in the administration of chemotherapeutic agents, convenient and effective methods for measuring the symptoms and quality of life associated with the hand-foot syndrome (HFS) are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate the Korean version of the hand-foot skin reaction and quality of life questionnaire (HF-QoL-K), comprising a 20-item symptom domain and an 18-item daily activity domain. After we developed the HF-QoL-K, 209 Korean patients with gynecologic cancer who were undergoing chemotherapeutic agents relating the HFS were asked to fill in the questionnaire. The content validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability were evaluated. The internal validity index, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and intra-class correlation coefficient of the HF-QoL-K were 0.90, 0.958, and 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.774–0.865), respectively. The scatter plot (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.826) and the Bland-Altman plot for test-retest reliability were also acceptable. The HF-QoL-K instrument is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the measurement of the symptoms and quality of life in Korean cancer patients suffering HFS.

Laparoscopic tube-preserving surgical procedures for ectopic tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with laparoscopic tube-preserving surgery for ectopic tubal pregnancy and evaluate its feasibility and efficacy. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 57 consecutive patients with ectopic tubal pregnancies undergoing laparoscopic tube-preserving procedures including salpingotomy, salpingostomy, segmental resection and reanastomosis, and fimbrial milking. The outcome measures were treatment success rates and homolateral patency rates. RESULTS: Of the 57 surgical procedures, 55 (96.4%) were performed successfully without any additional intervention. The number of patients receiving salpingotomy, salpingostomy, segmental resection and reanastomosis, and fimbrial milking were 24 (42.1%), 25 (43.9%), 4 (7.0%), and 2 (3.5%), respectively. Two case was switched to salpingectomy because excessive bipolar coagulation was required to obtain hemostasis at the tubal bleeding bed. Over a mean β-human chorionic gonadotropin resolution time of 18.3±5.9 days, no persistent trophoblast or postoperative complications occurred. A tubal patency test using hysterosalpingography was performed in 15 cases at 3 months postoperatively. Among these, the homolateral tubal patency rate was 75% (11 of 15) and the contralateral patency rate was 80% (12 of 15). CONCLUSION: Tube-preserving surgery is a feasible and safe treatment option for ectopic tubal pregnancy. However, considering that the optimal goal of tube-preserving surgical procedures is not the treatment success, some caution is warranted in interpreting results of this study.

Controversies in borderline ovarian tumors / 부인종양

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) represent about 15% to 20% of all ovarian malignancies and differ from invasive ovarian cancers (IOCs) by many characters. Historically, standard management of BOT is peritoneal washing cytology, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, complete peritoneal resection of macroscopic lesions; in case of mucinous BOTs, appendectomy should be performed. Because BOTs are often diagnosed at earlier stage, in younger age women and have better prognosis, higher survival rate than IOCs, fertility-sparing surgery is one of the option to preserve childbearing capacity. The study of such conservative surgery is being released, and still controversial. After surgery, pregnancy and ovarian induction followed by in vitro fertilization are also significant issues. In surgery, laparoscopic technique can be used by a gynecologic oncology surgeon. So far postoperative chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy are not recommended. We will discuss controversial issues of BOTs on this review and present the outline of the management of BOTs.

Public perception of risk-reducing salpingectomy for preventing ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The fallopian tube is considered as the site of origin of serous ovarian cancer, and risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS) has been proposed as a new and safe strategy for preventing ovarian cancer. However, little is known about the public perception of RRS. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey of 100 healthy female volunteers in November 2014. Questionnaire for this survey included questions on demographics, medical history, knowledge of and belief about RRS, and barrier to its application. RESULTS: Among 100 respondents, 71% did not realize the seriousness of ovarian cancer, 79% were unaware of the fact that salpinx was the origin of ovarian cancer, and 87% stated that they had never heard of RRS as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Also, 98% of respondents replied that they had the right to be informed about RRS and the choice given. The respondents' fears about RRS included increased risk of surgical complications (68%), no benefit (8%), and increased surgical costs (3%). CONCLUSION: Most general women were unaware of RRS as a method for preventing ovarian cancer in women at average risk. Therefore, physicians should discuss RRS with patients and consider this procedure at the time of abdominal or pelvic surgery.

Public perception of "scarless" laparoendoscopic single-site surgery in gynecology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the public perception of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) according to the age group. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire about the desire for cosmesis and the preference for LESS in treatment of benign gynecologic diseases was provided to healthy volunteers (n=102). The survey participants were divided into two age groups (young women 40 years). The desire for cosmesis was assessed using a validated scale, Body Image Scale. RESULTS: All of the participants completed the questionnaire. The Body Image Scale scores were not different between the two age groups (11.5+/-3.5 vs. 11.8+/-4.0, P=0.656). The most common fear of surgery was the risk of complications in both age groups (69% in the young age group and 65% in the middle-aged group). Unless the operative risk increased, most of the participants (61% to 67%) in both age groups preferred LESS. Their choice was influenced by reduced scarring (43% to 61%), more safety (20% to 39%), reduced postoperative pain (8% to 10%), and new technology (4% to 6%). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, there was no difference in the desire for cosmesis and perception of LESS according to the age. Therefore, physicians should discuss and consider LESS even in middle-aged women.

Histologic distribution of borderline ovarian tumors worldwide: a systematic review / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The histologic types of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) exhibit striking differences in clinical behavior and prognosis. Yet, there is no information available on the histologic distribution of BOTs according to geographic region. The purpose of this study was to systematically review this issue worldwide. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using electronic databases. Studies were eligible if BOTs were investigated and the histologic distribution of the data was shown. The studies were grouped by geographic region and totaled by country. RESULTS: Of 487 potentially relevant studies, 51 met our inclusion criteria, as follows: 8 studies from North America (2 countries); 26 studies from Europe (14 countries); 7 studies from the Middle East (3 countries); and 10 studies from East Asia (5 countries). The histologic distribution of BOTs was considerably different in different parts of the world, but follows specific patterns. In general, serous-type BOTs were the predominantly identified histology in North America, the Middle East, and Europe, while mucinous-type BOTs predominated in East Asia. CONCLUSION: Significant geographic variation is evident among BOT histology in different parts of the world. More research is needed to understand this phenomenon.

Clinical experiences of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in Korean women with adenomyosis / 대한산부인과내시경학회지

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical experiences of patients who treated with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis associated with dysmenorrhea and/or menorrhagia. METHODS: The LNG-IUS was inserted into 103 patients who were diagnosed with adenomyosis on ultrasound examination and suffered from dysmenorrhea or menorrhagia at CHA Gangnam Medical Center between January 2009 and December 2009. Symptomatic changes of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, side effects, and failure rates were evaluated, retrospectively. RESULTS: During the follow-up periods, dysmenorrhea was improved in 91.4% and menorrhagia was improved in 90.4% of patients. Most common side effects were prolonged vaginal spotting in 41 (39.8%), and expulsion of LNG-IUS in 32 (31.1%) patients. Six (5.7%) patients were premature removal of LNG-IUS and 9 (8.5%) patients were underwent hysterectomy. Overall 77 (74.8%) patients continued to use of LNG-IUS. CONCLUSION: The LNG-IUS is effective treatment option for management of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia for patients with clinical diagnosis of adenomyosis. It seemed to be an alternative treatment method before hysterectomy.

Single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy in women with history of previous abdominal surgery / 대한산부인과내시경학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of previous abdominal surgery on surgical outcomes of single-port access (SPA) total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 111 women who underwent SPA-TLH at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University between January 2010 and December 2010. Women were classified according to their history of previous abdominal surgery. RESULTS: Of 111 women undergoing SPA-TLH, 74 women (66.7%) without history of previous abdominal surgery and 37 women (33.3%) with history of previous abdominal surgery were classified. There was no significant difference in surgical outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, change in hemoglobin, uterine weight, perioperative complications, transfusion, and additional port insertion between two groups. CONCLUSION: In our experience, previous abdominal surgery has no significant impact on SPA-TLH.

Which is worse: uterine papillary serous carcinomas or carcinosarcomas? / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: It is clear that uterine carcinosarcomas and uterine papillary serous carcinomas (UPSC) have an adverse impact on outcome, but whether carcinosarcomas are worse than UPSC is unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the pathology, survival, and disease recurrence of patients with carcinosarcomas to patients with UPSC. METHODS: The medical records of patients diagnosed with carcinosarcomas and UPSC between 1996 and 2009 at Samsung Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed. Information from pathology reports, site of relapse, time to recurrence, and death was obtained. The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Thirty seven patients with carcinosarcomas and 38 patients with UPSC were identified during the study period. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics including age, body mass index, proportion with advanced stage disease, rate of optimal debulking, and adjuvant treatment used. In addition, the pathology showed no significant difference in tumor size, myometrial involvement, lymphovascular invasion, peritoneal cytology, cervical invasion, and lymph node involvement. Patients with carcinosarcomas had similar patterns of relapse as the patients with UPSC. There was no difference in the progression-free and overall survival between the carcinosarcomas and UPSC patients (p=0.804 and p=0.651, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with carcinosarcomas had similar clinicopathological features compared to the patients with UPSC.