Factors influencing quality of life of cervical cancer patients in Korea / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life (QOL) of uterine cervical cancer patients after treatment in Korea and to demonstrate influencing factors. METHODS: 127 uterine cancer survivors, 107 controls of benign gynecologic surgery patients were interviewed with study questionnaire by research assistant. RESULTS: Participants were with the mean age of 54 years (cancer patients) and 43 years (controls). Physical component score of General QOL was statistically significant in uterine cervical cancer group compared with control group (p=0.049). Parts of MCS, CS-QOL, Emotional support, Coping efforts didn't show differences between two groups. In patients' characteristics, high economic status and advanced stage influenced patient's adaptation to treatment. When evaluating QOL including sexual function, most parts were statistically significantly worsen in uterine cancer patients, ie, sexual dysfunction (p=0.004), sexual discomfort (p=0.070), sexual pleasure (p=0.011), gynecological symptom (p=0.001). Most factors except age didn't influence sexual function deterioration between cancer group and control group. Common presenting concerns of cancer patients before treatment was health (51%), children (23%), economic problem (16%) but after treatment health (92%). The most helpful people were family members in 84% and physicians in 9%. CONCLUSION: Uterine cervical cancer survivors in Korea appear to experience greater distress on sexual function especially in young age. Therefore it is important for health care professionals to recognize that aspects of cancer survivorship continue to require education and adequate follow-up program.

Clinical Experiences of 7 Cases of Heterotopic Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Although heterotopic pregnancy is a rare disorder, it is on an increasing tendency due to frequent use of intrauterine device, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovulation induction, assisted reproductive technology. This study was performed the clinical experiences of seven patients with heterotopic pregnancy. METHODS: Seven patients diagnosed as heterotopic pregnancy were analyzed by various factors such as age, symptoms, beta-hCG levels, gestational age at the time of diagnosis, postoperative course, sites of ectopic pregnancy, use of assisted reproductive technology, multiple pregnancy, and mode of surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.1 years, and chief complaint was abdominal pain. Laparotomy was done in 5 patients, and laparoscopy was done in 2 patients. Four of seven patients delivered at term, two were twins, two singletones. CONCLUSION: In heterotopic pregnancy, identification of intrauterine pregnancy without confirmation of ectopic pregnancy is associated with poor prognosis for both mother and fetus, and hence early dignosis and careful examination are need. Ectopic pregnancy should be removed and intrauterine pregnancy should be maintained.

A case of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube / 대한산부인과학회지

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is a rare entity that accounts for about 1% of all gynecologic malignancies, and most are discovered during or after surgery. Primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube is an extremely rare tumor that is reported only occasionally in the worldwide literature. Histologically, fallopian tube carcinomas are almost always papillary adenocarcinomas, but other histologic types such as endometrioid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and mixed carcinoma have been reported. As primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the fallopian tube is so rare, the clinicopathologic characteristics are as yet unknown. The authors recently experienced a case of primary transitional cell carcinoma arising in the fallopian tube, and thus report the clinical features, management, and also a review of the past pertinent literature.