A case of intestinal obstruction caused by intestinal endometriosis / 대한산부인과학회지

Endometriosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age, intestinal involvement has been estimated to occur in 3% to 37% of women with endometriosis, in rectosigmoid colon, appendix, ileum and cecum, in order of decreasing frequency. On the other hand, endometriosis of the small bowel, especially symptomatic small bowel involvement, is very unusual. Endometriosis is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, and preoperative diagnosis is very difficult. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of women of reproductive age who present with symptoms of obstruction. The definitive treatment includes resection of the involved segment with primary anastomosis. We report a 34-year-old woman following up infertility and ovarian endometrioma. She had nausea, vomiting and low abdominal pain who was operated on acute intestinal obstruction. Pathologic finding was endometriosis involving the ileum, cecum, appendix We present the case with a brief review of literature.

Comparison of postoperative radiotherapy versus postoperative paclitaxel and platinum chemotherapy in uterine endometrial carcinoma / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare postoperative adjuvant paclitaxel and platinum (TC) chemotherapy and radiation therapy in women with uterine endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Total one hundred five patients were entered into this trial. Non-endometrioid histologic subtypes such as serous, clear cell and small cell types were excluded from the study because they have different biological potentials. Of 58 assessable patients, who were needed adjuvant treatment according to surgico-pathologic reports, after surgery, 34 were received TC chemotherapy and 24 were received radiation therapy. Chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 5 (or cisplatin 50 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for 3 or 6 cycles. Irradiation dosage was 4,500~5,040 cGy in 28 fractions. RESULTS: In 58 evaluated patients, median follow-up time was 40.3 months (range 7~64 months). The 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival were 91.3% and 91.0% in 34 patients treated with TC chemotherapy, and 91.4% and 82.8% in 24 cases who treated with radiation therapy, however, there were no significant difference (P=0.646, P=0.129). The most common adverse effect of TC chemotherapy was hematologic toxicity, which was manageable conservatively. The serious gastrointestinal complication of radiotherapy was noted in 5 patients (20.8%), three of these patients were received another bowel surgery, such as ileo-cecal bypass, however, symptoms were persisted after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that postoperative adjuvant TC chemotherapy is a promising treatment which could be substituted for radiation therapy, with major activity and a acceptable toxicity profile for the treatment of uterine endometrial carcinoma.

Expression of Wnt 1 and beta-catenin in epithelial ovarian cancer / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: We were trying to identify the expression of Wnt 1 and beta-catenin in normal ovarian epithelium and epithelial ovarian tumor. METHODS: We used archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from Comprehensive Gynecologic Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology at Bundang CHA Hospital from 2000 to 2005. Immunohistochemical staining for Wnt 1 and beta-catenin was performed on the ovarian epithelial tissues. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 10.1 for Windows and significance was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS: Of 114 cases, the cases were composed of 54 carcinomas, 40 borderline tumors, 12 benign tumors and 8 normal control ovarian tissues. Abnormal nucleocytoplasmic expression of beta-catenin was found in 4 endometrioid carcinomas. The nuclear expression of beta-catenin was found especially in the components of the endometrioid carcinoma (28.6%, P<0.05). Wnt 1 was overexpressed in all 9 clear cell carcinomas, but not frequent in the other types of malignant tumors (P<0.05). We found a statistically significant correlation between beta-catenin nuclear localization and endometrioid carcinomas. And we found a significant correlation between Wnt 1 expression and clear cell carcinomas. CONCLUSION: It does not seem that Wnt 1 over expression directly provoke the nuclear localization of beta-catenin. But, deregulation of beta-catenin and Wnt 1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian epithelial carcinogenesis of endometriod carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma. Evaluating this avenue of regulation of beta-catenin and Wnt protein in ovarian epithelial carcinoma may provide a new direction for early diagnosis and treatment in ovarian epithelial carcinoma and provide opportunities for making a certain biomarkers.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery for uterine fibroids: Initial experience in Korea / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to review the safety and short-term efficacy of non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) on uterine myomas in Korean women. METHODS: A total of 29 outpatient Korean women, whose mean age was 39.1+/-5.8 years, were treated using the MRgFUS system for their symptomatic uterine myomas. Patients??symptoms were recorded using a validated symptom-specific questionnaire on treatment day, and at follow-up visits, 3 and 6 months post treatment. Data on adverse events was recorded on each follow up period. RESULTS: Symptom improvement was experienced by 83% of the patients at the three months follow-up, and 90% of the patients reported on improved quality of life by the six months follow-up. There were no serious adverse events during the treatments or the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: MRgFUS appears to be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms relief of uterine fibroids. Additional reports on longer follow up should verify long-term durability.

Alterations in Promoter Usage and Expression Levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor-II and H19 Genes in Ovarian Cancers / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To establish the possible role of imprinting in ovarian cancer, we determined the imprinting status of both IGF-2 and H-19 genes in ovarian cacner, borderline tumors of ovary, benign ovarian tumor and normal ovarian tissues. METHODS: An allelictyping assay was performed using a PCR-RFLP-based method for identification of heterozygous informative cases. The usage of Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-2) promoters was examined by RT-PCR using promoter-specific primers. The mRNA expression of IGF-2 and H19 was quantified using a densitometer. RESULTS: Loss of imprinting (LOI) of IGF-2 was observed in the order of borderline tumor (77%)>cancer (71%)>benign tumor (60%)>normal ovarian tissues (50%) respectively. And the LOI of H19 gene was not detected in the normal and benign tissues but observed in the borderline tumor and cancer tissues, respectively. The usage of promoter P1, P2, P3 and P4 were observed different pattern in normal, benign tumor, borderline tumor and cancer tissues. The activity of mRNA expression of promoter P4 was higher than other promoters. The cancer tissues predominantly used promoter P1, P2 with relative silencing of the promoter P3. The ovarian cancer tissues showed the higher expression levels of the IGF-2 but a down- regulation of the H19 relative to normal tissues. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LOI, deregulation of the IGF-2 promoters, and the altered expression levels of the IGF-2 and H19 gene might be associated with progression of ovarian cancer.

Expression of Genes Related to Multidrug Resistance and Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines, Sensitive and Resistant to Cisplatin / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The resistance mechanisms of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs are known as the followings; the alterations in the drug transport and activation, the enhanced expression of the DNA repair and replication and the decreased apoptosis. The aim of this study is to examine a relative difference on the level of the mRNA expression of the multidrug resistance (MDR)-related and the apoptosis-associated genes between cisplastin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cell line. METHODS: MDR-associated genes (lrp, mdr1/p-glycoprotein, mrp) and PKC isozymes (alpha, beta1, beta2, epsilon, eta, theta), DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH3, hMSH6), DNA topology-related genes (topoisomerase IIalpha and beta) and apoptosis-related genes (p53, p21, mdm2, fas (Apo-1), trail (Apo-2L) were analyzed in cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer cell line A2780 and -resistant cell line A2780cp by complementary DNA polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mdr1 and PKC eta in mRNA level were expressed in A2780cp, but not in A2780. The mRNA expressions of lrp, p21 and mdm2 were more increased in A2780cp than drug sensitive variant A2780, but not significantly correlated. In contrast mRNA expression of hMLH1, a kind of DNA MMR gene, was remarkably decreased and mRNA expression of hMSH2 was slightly decrease in A2780cp. However, the levels of mrp, topo II alpha and beta, hMSH3, hMSH6, p53, fas and trail were not affected. CONCLUSION: These results showed that mdr1/p-gp expression may be an important determinant of MDR phenotype in resistant cell line to chemotherapeutic agents, and PKC isozymes and DNA MMR genes may be responsible for cisplatin resistant in ovarian cancer.

Bone mineral density changes after 4 years of hormone replacement therapy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the various effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on bone mineral density (BMD) for 4 years in postmenopausal women and to compare the characteristics of non-responders to HRT. METHODS: A total of 100 postmenopausal women have been treated with HRT or estrogen replacement therapy for 4 years. Spinal BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The mean age and menopausal age of the study subjects was 53.3+/-3.6 and 4.7+/-4.0 years. According to the baseline BMD, 32 and 9 women were osteopenic and osteoporotic. Compared with the baseline value, the lumbar BMD increased significantly after one and two years of HRT, but after three years the rate of increment has slowed. However, the change of BMD has significantly increased again after four years of HRT (3.98%, 5.36%, 5.41%, 6.16%, in each year, respectively). Women with baseline osteopenia and osteoporotis gained significantly more BMD after 1 year of HRT than women with baseline normal BMD (p=0.02). There were no significant differences of BMD changes among the 3 treatment regimens (continuous combined, cyclic combined, and estrogen only). After 1 year of HRT, 14 non-responders were indentified who had reduced BMD (-1.7+/-1.6%) compared with baseline BMD whereas 86 responders had increased BMD (4.9+/-4.1%). In the non-responder, BMD increased in two year of HRT but decreased in the three and four year of HRT while BMD increased in the two, three and four year of HRT in responders. After 4 years of HRT, 17 nonresponders (-3.0%+/-1.8%) and 83 responders (8.2+/-7.1%) were indentified. There was no significant difference in age, year since menopause, body mass index and baseline BMD between non-responders and responders. However, non-responders loose their BMD after 1 and 4 year of HRT. CONCLUSION: After HRT, the BMD increased not only first and second year but also fourth year of treatment. The BMD changes did not different according to the treatment regimens. The lower the women's baseline BMD, the greater the BMD increase after HRT. After four years of HRT, 17% of women lose their BMD compared to baseline BMD. The BMD changes in the first year of HRT may be an important predictive factor for the long-term BMD response to HRT in postmenopausal women.

The study on the regression time and pattern of the serum beta-hCG in gestational trophoblastic disease / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: It is now conventional practice to use human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as the marker of tumor activity in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). The interpretation of serial serum beta-hCG regression patterns is important in monitoring the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to establish a regression time and pattern of the serum beta-hCG in which GTD is divided into hydatidiform mole and malignant trophoblastic disease. MATERIALS & METHODS: During the period from January 1990 through December 2000, 46 patients with GTD were histopathologically diagnosed and treated at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hanyang University Hospital. For the purpose of analysis and comparison, patients were divided into 19 cases of hydatidiform mole and 27 cases of malignant trophoblastic disease which was subdivided into nonmetastatic (17) and metastatic (10). Patients were followed clinically and by weekly estimations of quantitative serum beta-hCG until negative (<3 mIU/ml). After three consecutive negative beta-hCG, serum beta-hCG were drawn monthly in all patients for one year. The level of serum beta-hCG was detected by two-site sandwich immunoassay (Chiron Diagnostics Automated Chemiluminescence System 180). The obtained data were analyzed using t test and ANOVA test by SPSS. RESULTS: The incidence of the GTD compared with delivery was one per 182.7 deliveries. The mean value of serum beta-hCG regression time in hydatidiform mole was 12.8+/-1.1 (SEM) weeks (7.0-26.0 weeks) and 17.9+/-1.4 (SEM) weeks (8.0-34.0 weeks) in malignant trophoblastic disease. The regression time was significantly shorter in hydatidiform mole than that of malignant trophoblastic disease (P<0.01). The differences of mean value of serum beta-hCG regression time between the groups with nonmetastatic (18.0 weeks) and metastatic (17.8 weeks) were not statistically significant(P =0.946). The mean values of serum beta-hCG in both hydatidiform mole and malignant trophoblastic disease declined following a log-normal distribution. CONCLUSIONS: The regression pattern of serum beta-hCG in present study was similar to that of which in Western and also similar to that of which in Korea in 1980s. The present study supports the continued use of individual patients serum beta-hCG regression curve to make treatment decision and to recognize malignant trophoblastic disease promptly.

Effects of progesterone/progestin on the apoptosis of the human umbilical vein endothelial cell / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The addition of progesterone/progestin is mandatory in women with intact uterus for postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. However, debate is continuing on whether there is an impact of progesterone/progestin on the hormone replacement therapy for cardiac protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of progesterone/progestin and combination with estrogen on the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells, which has been demonstrated to be an initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) were cultured. HUVEC apoptosis was induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (50 ng/ml). 10-7M of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethindrone acetate (NETA) were added in to the culture media. The percentage of apoptotic HUVEC were measured by 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analysis. RESULTS: MTT assay demonstrated a significant decrease in percent of survival cells after 24 hours of TNF-alpha exposure and a reversal of the effect of TNF-alpha with E2 treatment. P4, MPA and NETA treatment also reversed the effect of TNF-alpha. The protective effect of E2 and P4 were not different. Compared to the E2 treatment, the percent of survival cell were decreased when P4, MPA and NETA were added to E2 treatment, respectively. Similarly, FACS analysis revealed 44.0+/-2.6% apoptosis after 24 hours of TNF-alpha exposure. Treatment with E2 resulted a significant decrease (28.4+/-2.9%, P<0.05) in apoptosis. P4 (33.6%+/-2.6%, P<0.05), MPA (35.7+/-1.3%, P<0.05), NETA (34.0+/-3.3%, P<0.05) treatment also showed a reduction of cell death. The percent of apoptotic cells between E2 and MPA treatment was significantly different. The addition of P4 (36.0+/-2.5%), MPA (36.3+/-1.9%) and NETA (37.0+/-2.0%) to E2 treatment significantly increased the percent of apoptotic cells compared to those of E2 treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that not only estradiol, but also progesterone, MPA and NETA inhibited HUVEC apoptosis. But the effect of estrogen on the inhibition of HUVEC apoptosis was attenuated in combination treatment of estrogen and progesterone/progestin.

Vaginal birth after cesarean section: A 10-years study / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Recently, enormous amount of the studies about trial of labor after cesarean section has been reported to decrease the rate of cesarean section. This study focused on analyzing multiple variables and results to acknowledge the safety and complications of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study was performed based on 97 pregnant women who were tried vaginal delivery after cesarean section at Hanyang University Hospital from January 1990 to December 1999. The age of mother, gestational age, estimated fetal body weight by ultrasonography, neonatal body weight, cervical dilatation, cervical effacement, Bishop score, the number of previous vaginal delivery, complications of mother, and complications of fetus were analyzed between successful group (82 patients) and failure group (15 patients) with trial of labor. Student T-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the 97 cases with trial of labor after cesarean, the success rate was 84.5% and failure rate was 15.5%. The estimated fetal body weight by ultrasonography, cervical dilatation and effacement, Bishop score, Apgar score had notable differences between successful group and failure group, while the other factors had not. There was no maternal death or uterine rupture in the cases of trial of labor. CONCLUSION: Trial of labor after cesarean section is relatively safe method of delivery if it is performed under strict indication. It could be suggested that VBAC has relatively little complication in both mother and fetus. The studies with large populations and performed by multi-centers will be needed for the evaluating safety of VBAC and developing safe protocols to decrease the risk of complications.

Expression analysis of genes related to multidrug resistance (MDR) in ovarian cancer cell line A2780 and cisplatinum resistant cell line A2780cp / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Expressions of P-glycoprotein, the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and the lung resistance protein (LRP) with the MDR phenotype widely divergent in human cancer cell lines. This study focused on the altered gene expression related drug transport. METHODS: To examine correlations between MDR-associated genes and PKC isozyme with cisplatin resistance on the level of the mRNA expression, we analyzed MDR-associated gene (LRP, MDR1/P-gp and MRP) expression and PKC isozyme, topoisomerase II alpha and beta in cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer cell line A2780 and cisplatin - resistant cell line A2780cp using cDNA-PCR approach. RESULTS: LRP mRNA levels were significantly increased in A2780cp compared to the drug sensitive variant. In contrast, MRP mRNA levels were not significantly correlated with drug sensitivity. A modest increase in PKC(eta) and MDR1/P-gp mRNA expression activity was also observed in ovarian cancer A2780cp cell lines that were resistant to CDDP. The level of topoisomerase II alpha and beta were not affected. CONCLUSION: These results showed that MDR1/P-gp expression may be an important determinant of the MDR phenotype in cell lines intrinsically resistant to cancer chemotherapeutic agents and a multifactorial emergence of MDR phenotype of tumor with a possible involvement of the PKC isozymes may be associated with CDDP resistant ovarian cancer cell line.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma arising in Cystic Teratoma of the Ovary / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The cystic teratoma is the most common germ cell tumors in reproductive age women. The malignant change of cystic teratoma is rare, about 1~2%, and mostly change to squ-amous cell carcinoma. We experienced 4 cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in cystic teratoma and re- port our cases with a brief review of the literature.

Two Cases of Primary Carcinoma in the Fallopian Tube / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is an extremely rare malignancy of the female genital tract. We have experienced two cases of primary carcinoma in the fallopian tube. One case with huge mass which was diagnosed incidentally on the basis of the biopsy findings, and the other case of the 3 years follow-up. We reported the cases with a brief review of the concemed literatures.