Successfully conservative treatment of large cervical choriocarcinoma with profuse vaginal bleeding.

Primary choriocarcinoma of the uterine cervix is a rare disease. The accurate diagnosis of such a disease is difficult to achieve because of its rarity. Furthermore, the majority of cases presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding that could be caused by other more common conditions including, threatened abortion, cervical polyp, cervical pregnancy, or cervical cancer. In the present report, the authors present a case of large cervical choriocarcinoma with life-threatening vaginal bleeding, which was initially misdiagnosed as a cervical cancer The active cervical bleeding was successfully controlled with selective uterine arterial embolization. Remission of cervical choriocarcinoma was accomplished with combination chemotherapy without the need of hysterectomy.

Prevalence and characteristics of late postoperative voiding dysfunction in early-stage cervical cancer patients treated with radical hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Although effective as a primary treatment for early-stage cervical cancer, radical hysterectomy is associated with significant long-term morbidities, most commonly, voiding dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To examine prevalence and characteristics of voiding dysfunction following radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer. METHODS: One hundred-eighty seven patients with FIGO stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer who underwent class II-III radical hysterectomy with systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy between January 1, 2002 and June 31, 2005 were interviewed with questionnaire on voiding function. Medical records were also reviewed for operative and pathologic data. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptomatic bladder dysfunction was 25.1%. There was no statistically significant association between rates of bladder dysfunction and all examined clinical/operative factors. The most common pattern of bladder dysfunction were incomplete emptying in 25 (13.4%) and urgency and nocturia in 21 (11.2%) each. CONCLUSION: Voiding dysfunction is a common and clinically significant long-term complication following radical hysterectomy. The pattern of dysfunction reflects combined surgical disruption of both parasympathetic and sympathetic innervations of the pelvis.

Limited value of vaginal cytology in detecting recurrent disease after radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of vaginal cytology in routine surveillance for recurrent cervical cancer after surgery. We reviewed the medical records of 565 patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer who were treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHPL) and attended follow- up at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 2000 and May 2006. With the median follow-up of 35 months (range 1-76 months), 23 (4%) patients developed recurrence. The interval from surgery to detection of recurrence ranged from 5-61 months with a median of 23 months. Of the total 4,376 vaginal smears, 5 (0.1%) showed abnormal cytology but only 1 had malignant cells and tumor recurrence. The sensitivity and specificity of vaginal cytology for detection of recurrence were 4.3% and 99.3%, respectively. In conclusion, vaginal cytology has limited value in detection of recurrence after RHPL for early-stage cervical cancer.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of node-negative cervical cancer patients with deep stromal invasion or lymphovascular space involvement following radical hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of node-negative cervical cancer patients who had deep stromal invasion (DSI) and/or lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) following radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHPL). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records of 150 node-negative stage IA2-IIA cervical cancer patients who had DSI and/or LVSI after RHPL from 1999 to 2004 were reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty-eight (58.4%) patients were treated with RHPL alone. Twenty-eight (18.7%), 23 (15.4%), eight (5.3%), and three (2%) patients received postoperative chemotherapy, chemoradiation, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, respectively. Overall, 11 (7.3%) patients developed recurrence. The estimated 5-year disease-free survival of the patients was 90.9%. By multivariate analysis, two factors, age of less than 35 years old and a non squamous histology, were significantly independent prognostic. Eight (5.3%) patients experienced treatment-related complications. CONCLUSION: Node-negative cervical cancer patients with DSI and/or LVSI had excellent clinical outcomes. Young age and non-squamous histology are significant independent prognostic factors.

Histopathological outcomes of women with squamous cell carcinoma on cervical cytology.

The aim of this study was to determine the final histopathological outcome for women with a squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) diagnosed by cervical cytology. The medical records and computerized colposcopic database of patients with SCCA on cytology who underwent colposcopy at Chiang Mai University Hospital between February 2003 and December 2005 were reviewed and 48 women with SCCA cytology were identified (mean age 50 years, range 31-73). Nineteen (39.6%) women were postmenopausal. Unsatisfactory colposcopy was noted in 42 (87.5%). Thirty one (64.6%) of the patients had a final pathological diagnosis of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL), whereas only 16 (33.3%) had invasive cancer. The remaining one patient had a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Sensitivity and specificity of colposcopic examination for predicting invasive cancer was 50% and 78%, respectively. In conclusion, most women with a SCCA on cervical cytology have high-grade cervical lesions on final pathology, with only one third demonstrating invasive cancer. The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) remains an important measure for combined treatment and diagnosis.

Clinicopathologic analysis of women with synchronous primary carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary: 10- year experience from Chiang Mai University Hospital.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes of women with synchronous primary carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary that were treated at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 1995 and December 2004. During the study period, 43 women with such tumors were identified. These carcinomas accounted for 0.58% (95%CI=0.42-0.79%) of all gynecologic malignancies. Median age at diagnosis was 49 years (range: 34-60 years). Median body mass index (BMI) was 21.6 kg/m2(range: 15.5-27.7 kg/m(2)). The majority of women (65%) were premenopausal. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding (42%), followed by a pelvic mass (30%). Twenty-seven (62.8%, 95%CI= 46.7-77.0%) women had concordant endometrioid carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary. Five (11.6%) women experienced tumor recurrence with median follow up 39 months (range: 1-85 months). The overall 5-year survival was 85.2%. There was no significant difference in survival outcomes among the women who had endometrioid/endometrioid histology and those who had other histological subtypes (P=0.674). In conclusion, synchronous primary carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary, although uncommon, should be considered in differential diagnosis in premenopausal women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and ovarian tumors. The prognosis of patients with these tumors appears excellent.

Weekly versus three-weekly cisplatin as an adjunct to radiation therapy in high-risk stage I-IIA cervical cancer after surgery: a randomized comparison of treatment compliance.

OBJECTIVES: To compare weekly and three-weekly cisplatin as an adjunct to radiation therapy in high-risk early-stage cervical cancer after surgery with regard to treatment compliance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 1st, 2003 to February 29th, 2004, the authors performed a randomized trial of radiotherapy in combination with two concurrent chemotherapy regimens - weekly or three-weekly cisplatin--in patients with high-risk cervical cancer FIGO stage I-IIA after surgery. Women with primary invasive squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix were enrolled. The patients also had to have an absolute neutrophil count of at least 1,500 cells per cubic millimeter, a platelet count of at least 75,000 cells per cubic millimeter, a creatinine clearance higher than 40 milliliter per minute, and adequate hepatic function. All patients received external-beam radiotherapy according to a strict protocol. Patients were randomly assigned to receive one of two chemotherapy regimens: 75 mg per square meter of cisplatin on days 1, 22, 43 and 64 or every three weeks for 4 cycles (group 1) or 40 mg per square meter of cisplatin per week for six cycles (group 2). RESULTS: The analysis included 40 women. The first group that received three-weekly cisplatin had a higher rate of incomplete and delayed treatments than the second group that received weekly cisplatin (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0236 respectively). The relative risks of delayed courses were 2.06 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.15 to 3.68) for group 1, compared with group 2. The toxicity-related incomplete treatments rate and G-CSF doses used were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin regimen has more complete treatment rate and less delayed courses than that with three- weekly cisplatin among women with high-risk cervical cancer after surgery.

Radical surgery for T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva through separate incisions.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate treatment results in patients with T1 and T2 vulvar carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records of 46 patients with T1 and T2 SCC of the vulva undergoing radical excision of the tumor and groin node dissection at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 1998 and December 2004 were reviewed. The tumor size, histologic grade, nodal status, lymph-vascular space invasion, lesion location, surgical marginal status, complications, recurrence and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of the 46 patients (T1 = 15, T2 = 31) was 59 years with a range of 34-84 years. The incidence of lymph node metastases for T1 lesions was 13% compared to 35% for T2 lesions. Twenty nine patients (63%) experienced surgical complications, the most common one was lymphedema (16) while wound breakdown was noted in only 1 patient. With a median follow-up of 15 months, 14 patients (30%) developed recurrence, 3 (20%) and 11 (35%) in patients with T1 and T2 lesions respectively. The overall 5-year disease-free survival and 5-year survival were 37% and 40%, respectively. The 5-year survival of patients with T1 lesion was significantly higher than that of patients with T2 lesion (64% vs 31%, P = 0.04). Patients with negative nodes had significantly better survival than those with positive nodes (56% vs 18%, P = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, only the status of groin node remained as independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSION: Radical excision and groin node dissection through separate incision for T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva in this study has a less favorable survival outcome compared with the literature.

Concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation and adjuvant hysterectomy for bulky stage IB-IIA cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes and adverse effects of concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation and adjuvant hysterectomy for bulky stage IB-IIA cervical cancer MATERIAL AND METHOD: All eligible, thirty-four patients with bulky stage IB-IIA cervical cancer were assigned to receive weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 for 6 cycles concurrently with radiation followed by extrafascial hysterectomy 6 weeks after completion of radiation. RESULTS: Estimated 5-year progression-free and disease-free survival rates of 80% were observed after a median follow-up of 42 months. The overall recurrent rate was 18%. Grade 3 neutropenia and anemia were noted in only 5.9% and 2.9%, respectively. All acute toxicities were transient and were manageable. There were no treatment-related deaths or late toxicities. CONCLUSION: For appropriately selected patients with bulky stage IB-IIA cervical cancer, concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation followed by adjuvant hysterectomy offers an effective treatment option with acceptable toxicity.

Extent of lymphovascular space invasion and risk of pelvic lymph node metastases in stage IB1 cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the extent of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is a risk factor for pelvic lymph node metastases in stage IBI cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The clinicopathological data of 397 patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHPL) at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 1998 and December 2002 were analyzed. The histology, tumor grade, depth of stromal invasion, uterine corpus involvement, parametrial invasion and LVSI were analyzed for their association with pelvic node metastases. The extent of LVSI was classified as negative, minimal (< 10 LVSI/cervical specimen), and extensive (> or = 10 LVSI/cervical specimen). RESULTS: Of the 397 patients, 146 (36.8%) had tumors containing LVSI, 82 (20.7%) and 64 (16.1%) had minimal and extensive LVSI, respectively. Fifty nine (14.9%) patients had pelvic node metastases. Using multivariable analysis, LVSI (p < 0.001), depth of stromal invasion (p < 0.001), tumor grade (p < 0.001), and parametrial invasion (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of pelvic node metastases. The extent of LVSI either minimal or extensive degree significantly influenced pelvic node metastases. CONCLUSION: The presence of LVSI especially extensive involvement was significantly associated with the risk of pelvic node metastases in stage IB1 cervical cancer.

Radiologic features and treatment outcomes of pulmonary metastasis in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the radiologic patterns and treatment outcome of pulmonary metastasis in patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records and chest films of GTT patients treated at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 1998 and June 2003 were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 85 GTT-patients in the study period. 32 cases (37.6%) had pulmonary metastasis diagnosed with chest X-rays. The most common radiologic pattern was well defined nodule. The radiologic features of patients who had lung metastases alone were not significantly different from those who had associated metastases in other organs. 27 patients (84.3%) received multiple chemotherapy and 6 required more than one regimen. The mean number of chemotherapy was 7 cycles (range 3-23). Adjuvant surgery consisted of hysterectomy (11), salpingo-oophorectomy (1), thoracotomy (2), and craniotomy (1). Four patients received whole brain irradiation for brain metastases. Among 10 patients with lung metastasis alone, 8 (80%) attained complete remission, the remaining 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Among 22 patients with associated multiple organ metastases, 16 (72.7%) had complete remission, 2 died from diseases, 4 were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: The most common radiologic pattern of pulmonary metastasis in GTT patients was well-defined multiple lung nodules. The radiologic features of patients who had lung metastases alone were not significantly different from those who developed metastases in other organs.

Treatment results of methotrexate and folinic acid as primary chemotherapy for nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate and folinic acid (MTX-FA) chemotherapy in patients with nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (NMGTN). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 67 patients with NMGTN received treatment at the Chiang Mai University Hospital. Of the 67 patients, 55 were initially treated with methotrexate 1.0 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM) on day 1, 3,5, and 7 and folinic acid 0.1 mg/kg IM on day 2, 4, 6 and 8. Treatment courses were repeated every 14 days. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed RESULTS: All 55 patients with NMGTN were cured. Of the 55 patients initially treated with MTX-FA, 49 (89%) achieved complete remission. Six (11%) patients developed methotrexate resistance, 3 were cured with actinomycin D, 1 were cured with 5-fluorouracil followed by etoposide, 2 required hystertectomy to attain remission. No serious toxicity was noted CONCLUSION: Methotrexate and folinic acid chemotherapy is highly effective and well-tolerated in treating patients with nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

A "See and Treat" approach for high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cervical cytology.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the final histologic findings as well as to correlate colposcopic and histologic findings in patients who had a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) on the Pap smear and underwent colposcopy followed by LEEP on the "See and Treat" basis without intervening colposcopically directed biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records of patients with HGSIL on cytology who underwent LEEP without prior cervical biopsy at Chiang Mai University Hospital over a 5-month period were reviewed. The authors summarized the final LEEP histologic results and correlated colposcopic and histologic findings in these patients. RESULTS: Of 55 patients who had a see-and-treat LEEP, 53 patients (96%) had a high-grade intraepithelial lesion or higher. There were 11 patients (20%) who had invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Of 4 patients with a low-grade lesion on colposcopic examination, all had a high-grade lesion or higher on final histology. Forty-four patients (96%) with high-grade impression on colposcopy had high-grade or more severe lesion on the final histologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: For patients with a high-grade lesion on the Pap smear, LEEP according to the "See and Treat" approach appeared to be a reasonable alternative to conventional colposcopically directed biopsy, especially in low resource settings.