Role of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in epithelial ovarian cancers

Background: Lymphadenectomy in epithelial ovarian cancers has remained a controversial subject. Lack of robust evidence on survival benefits and surgical morbidity associated questions its role in the era of adjuvant chemotherapy. The present study assessed pelvic and para-aortic lymph node removal in epithelial ovarian cancer in Indian women and tried to find clinicopathological correlation of nodal involvement and postoperative implications of lymphadenectomy.Methods: Thirty patients with diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer posted for primary debulking surgery were recruited and underwent staging laparotomy along with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Nodal involvement was confirmed on histopathology and various parameters which could predict nodal metastasis were assessed. Patients were followed up for 12 months post-surgery.Results: Nodal yield was ten for pelvic and four for paraaortic nodes. Pelvic node involvement was seen in 26.6% (8/30) of the patients and para-aortic in 15% (3/20) of the patients. Serous histology, higher grade, stage 3 and above, positive peritoneal cytology, omental involvement showed a higher lymph node involvement though not statistically significant. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was associated with increased operating time, blood loss and longer hospital stay.Conclusions: Lymphadenectomy increases morbidity and decision should be based on predictors of nodal involvement.

Peritoneal metastasis in Stage IB1 adenocarcinoma cervix: A rare entity

The presence of ovarian or peritoneal metastasis in early-stage cervical malignancy is a rare entity. It often poses a diagnostic challenge whether it is a synchronous primary tumor or a metastatic lesion. A 63-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with Stage 1B1 carcinoma cervix with ascites, and a 5.8 cm × 4.2 cm × 3.5 cm left solid adnexal mass. She underwent Type III radical hysterectomy, excision of peritoneal mass, with bilateral pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy and infracolic omentectomy. On histopathology, cervix showed features of adenocarcinoma, and the peritoneal mass revealed similar histomorphology as cervical growth with metastatic tumor deposits in omentum. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was utilized to determine the origin of mass. The early stage disease and histology may not always predict the distant metastasis. Therefore, a thorough pretreatment evaluation, meticulous intraoperative assessment, and IHC are mandatory for optimum management and prognostication

Clinical profile & outcome of H1N1 infected pregnant women in a tertiary care teaching hospital of northern India.

Background & objectives: H1N1 influenza is a recognized cause of febrile respiratory infection worldwide. There are not many studies to show its impact on pregnancy. In the present study we aimed to assess clinical characteristics, obstetric and perinatal outcome of pregnant women with H1N1 infection. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi, India. A total of 24 pregnant women microbiologically positive for H1N1 were included. Maternal characteristics and outcome were recorded. Perinatal outcome which was defined as presence of any of the indicators such as abortion, preterm delivery, intrauterine death and neo natal death was noted. Results: The mean age of the study group was 25.2 ± 3 yr with a mean gestational age of 34.9 ± 4.6 wk. Six patients (25%) had associated co-morbidities. Nine patients (37.5%) presented within 48 h of onset of symptoms and 15 (62.5%) reported after 48 h. In 17 (70.83%) patients treatment was delayed by >48 h. ICU admission was needed in 20.8 per cent patients and mortality rates was 8.3 per cent. There were seven cases of adverse perinatal outcome. Interpretation & conclusions: The presenting symptoms of pregnant women with H1N1 were similar to that of general population. Acquiring infection in late trimester, late initiation of antiviral treatment and presence of co-morbid illness were high risk factors for developing critical illness. Pregnant women with suspected H1N1 influenza should be started on antiviral therapy at the earliest. This is likely to help reduce the ICU admission rates and mortalities in this group of women.