Innovative insights into extrachromosomal circular DNAs in gynecologic tumors and reproduction

Originating but free from chromosomal DNA, extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are organized in circular form and have long been found in unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Their biogenesis and function are poorly understood as they are characterized by sequence homology with linear DNA, for which few detection methods are available. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have revealed that eccDNAs play crucial roles in tumor formation, evolution, and drug resistance as well as aging, genomic diversity, and other biological processes, bringing it back to the research hotspot. Several mechanisms of eccDNA formation have been proposed, including the breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) and translocation-deletion-amplification models. Gynecologic tumors and disorders of embryonic and fetal development are major threats to human reproductive health. The roles of eccDNAs in these pathological processes have been partially elucidated since the first discovery of eccDNA in pig sperm and the double minutes in ovarian cancer ascites. The present review summarized the research history, biogenesis, and currently available detection and analytical methods for eccDNAs and clarified their functions in gynecologic tumors and reproduction. We also proposed the application of eccDNAs as drug targets and liquid biopsy markers for prenatal diagnosis and the early detection, prognosis, and treatment of gynecologic tumors. This review lays theoretical foundations for future investigations into the complex regulatory networks of eccDNAs in vital physiological and pathological processes.

Ultrasound‑guided tru‑cut biopsy of pelvic tumors: First reported case series in the Philippines / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

@#This paper documents the first reported cases of patients in the country who underwent transvaginal ultrasound‑guided Tru‑cut biopsy of pelvic tumors in a tertiary level health institution in 2019. Different indications for Tru‑cut biopsy were demonstrated highlighting its clinical utility in the diagnosis and management of malignant pelvic tumors. All patients warranted histologic diagnosis for further planning of the most appropriate management. Adequate tissue samples were obtained from all three patients with no procedure‑related complications.

Solitary Splenic Metastases from Uterine Cervical Cancer: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Splenic metastasis from gynecologic tumors is extremely rare, especially in the absence of apparent disease at other sites. We report two patients that underwent splenectomy for a solitary splenic metastasis from uterine cervical carcinoma. In case 1, a 54-year-old woman with FIGO Stage IIb squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy developed a solitary splenic metastasis 10 months after initial treatment. In case 2, a 46-year-old woman with FIGO Stage IIb adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was found to have a solitary splenic metastasis 11 months after treatment. Thus all abdominal organs including the spleen must be evaluated for metastases during follow-up of gynecologic tumors.

The Accuracy of Frozen Section Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Gynecologic Tumors / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Frozen section evaluation of gynecologic tumors can be used to establish a histopathologic diagnosis and guide the surgeon to perform the appropriate surgical procedure. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the accuracy of frozen section diagnosis of gynecologic tumors. METHODS: We compared the result of 459 consecutive gynecologic frozen section diagnosis with their final diagnosis by paraffin sections from January 1996 to August 2001. RESULTS: 459 gynecologic tumors that underwent frozen section evaluation were studied. Frozen section was accurate in 94.9% of 390 ovarian tumors and inaccurate in 5.1%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for frozen section in ovarian tumors were 86.7%, 97.8%, 84.4%, 97.7%. There was three false-positive and twelve false-negative cases. And frozen section was accurate in 68 of 69 uterine tumors. CONCLUSION: Frozen section diagnosis has important implications regarding the type and extent of surgery performed at the initial operation and this method can obtain the highest accuracy when there is cooperation between experienced surgeons and reliable, careful pathologists. Most incompatible frozen section diagnosis occurred especially in mucinous ovarian tumor. Performing multiple section is recommended in the frozen section diagnosis of mucinous ovarian tumors.