Challenging iatrogenic menopause. Oncofertility programme in Poland - a single-centre experience.

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is defined as a 12-month period of time when menstruation permanently ceases. In some cases, menopause may be caused by external factors - for example gonadotoxic treatment that irreversibly damages ovarian tissue leading to loss of its hormonal and reproductive function. Oncofertility is a discipline that merges oncology and reproductive medicine, giving patients a chance to experience parenthood after gonadotoxic treatment is finished. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the study is to present the implementation and first outcomes of the Oncofertility Programme in the University Clinic of Endocrinological Gynaecology and Gynaecology, University Hospital in Krakow, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients interested in fertility preservation have been consulted in the University Clinic of Endocrinological Gynaecology and Gynaecology in Krakow since April 2016. Preliminary qualification to one of the available methods (embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation) was conducted. Patients declaring a wish to join the programme were then referred to one of the three infertility treatment centres cooperating with the University Clinic, in order to undergo the chosen procedure. RESULTS: During a period of 24 months, 18 patients were consulted. The youngest consulted patient was 20 years old, the oldest 39. Two years after the first consultation, a telephone survey among consulted patients was carried out to verify whether the patients finally underwent oncofertility procedures, and to ask about their reproductive status. CONCLUSIONS: The problem of fertility issues being inadequately addressed results in low referral rates to oncofertility programmes. Attempts to raise awareness of oncofertility possibilities among oncologists should be undertaken because critically few patients are being referred to oncofertility centres.

There is no difference in the plasma cortisol level between women with body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal 25 kg/m² and polycystic ovary syndrome and the control group without polycystic ovary syndrome and BMI 25 kg/m².

A 4-8% of women of reproductive age suffer from the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The clinical and/ or biochemical hyperandrogenemia is found up to 75% of women with PCOS. It is unclear whether the hyperandogenemia in PCOS is caused directly by this disorder or by obesity. The recent studies have shown that the cortisol level in PCOS patients can be elevated, decreased or comparable to the control group. The aim of our study was to assess the cortisol plasma level in women with body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/ m², with and without PCOS. The study population consisted of 17 overweight women with PCOS and 44 overweight women without PCOS. There were not statistically significant differences in the body mass (group 1: 88.9 ± 17.0 kg, vs. group 2: 84.4 ± 15.2 kg; NS) nor the body mass index between both groups (group 1: 31.7 ± 5.9 kg/m², vs. group 2: 30.6 ± 5.4 kg/m²; NS). The groups did not differ in TSH, FSH, estradiol, SHBG, prolactin level at the baseline. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in the cortisol levels at 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Our study suggests that there is no difference in the morning and 7 p.m. cortisol level between the women with and without PCOS among the population of women with body mass index greater than or equal 25 kg/m².

[The role of cytologic-colposcopic diagnostics in qualification to LEEP (loop electrical excision procedure)].

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is both a diagnostic and a therapeutic method in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The key for the therapeutic effect is accurate diagnostics, in particular precise colposcopic localisation of CIN in the cervical area. It enables localising a lesion highly suspected of neoplasmatic character, excising a sample for histopathologic examination and making a pre-therapeutical diagnosis, as well as choosing optimal way of treatment. Colposcopic examination conducted in 115 women with inapropriate cytologic exam, i.e. HGSIL, revealed CIN-suspected image in all cases. Highly positive and statistically relevant correlation between results of colposcopic examination and histologial examination of samples excised with the use of high frequency electrosurgical loop in examined group was stated. Due to its efficiency, easy implementation, great tolerance and wide acceptance the procedure is widespread.

Dysgerminoma and gonadoblastoma in the course of Swyer syndrome.

We present a case of a woman with primary amenorrhea. Ultrasound imaging showed a uterus of normal size but bands of connective tissues at the site of ovaries. A genetic test was done which revealed the XY karyotype. Swyer syndrome was diagnosed. The patient did not report for the follow-up visits. Three years later, the woman reported back because of increasing abdominal circumference. The patient underwent an operation. Radical hysterectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed dysgerminoma and gonadoblastoma on the left gonad and dysgerminoma on the right one. This case report presents the natural history of Swyer syndrome.

[Evaluation of the recurrence and residual lesions incidence after loop electroexcisional procedure and cold knife conisation]. / Ocena wystepowania nawrotów lub zmian rezydualnych po wycieciu zmiany przy pomocy petli elektrycznej o wysokiej czestotliwosci i konizacji szyjki macicy.

The aim of this paper was the evaluation of the recurrence and residual lesions of cervical intraepithelial neoplaisa (CIN) incidence after LEEP (loop electro excisional procedure) and cold knife conisation. The clinical material was 210 women aged 22-65 years of life referred to the Department of Gynecology and Oncology Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, Poland, the period in 2000- 2005 years, with initial cytological pap diagnosis-HSIL. (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion-HSIL) according to The Bethesda System. The study group was 115 women with colposcopically visible lesions, which was qualified to the LEEP procedure. The controls were 95 women, preoperatively diagnosed based on colposcopically directed biopsy of the ectocervix and cervical canal curettage. In all cases the recurrence of cervical dysplasia and residual disease of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia incidence were analyzed. The follow-up period was 5 years with Pap smear and colposcopy every 3 months, for the first 2 years and every 6 months in subsequent 3 years. In case of recurrence which was diagnosed within first 6 months the residual disease was assumed rather than recurrence one. Data were statistically analyzed. We conclude that the therapeutical effect depends on CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) localization within cervix, because in case of cervical canal localization the recurrence and residual disease percentage is significantly higher in comparision to the ectocervix localization. This is why the colposcopic precise localization of the lesion within cervix is of the great importance. The free margins of the removed tissue speciemen are also the important prognostic factor. Most of the recurrence are diagnosed within the first year after initial procedure and does not depend on the margins involvement.

Results in treatment of early breast cancers and the level of selected metalloproteinases.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the U.S. and Europe. In the early stages of the disease, women are treated surgically, which is supplemented with hormonal therapy, immuno-, chemo- or radiotherapy. Postoperative qualification for further treatment is based on clinical stage, the pathology of the tumor and classic prognostic factors. Despite that, among patients with breast cancer in early stages of clinical advancement, there is a relatively large proportion of observed tumor recurrence. These observations oblige the search for additional prognostic factors that determine the progression of the disease faster, according to which, could emerge a group of women at increased risk of recurrence of the disease. AIM: The aim of this paper is to determine the meaning of the expression of selected metalloproteinases as prognostic factors in breast cancer. METHODS: The study group consisted of 108 patients ages 26 to 86 years treated surgically from 1994 to 2000 because of primary breast cancer in the early clinical stage, ie stage I and II according to TNM classification. RESULTS: Between two of the tested metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-11) only MMP-2 appears to have prognostic significance in early forms of breast cancer, and its strong expression is associated with shorter survival.

[The incidence of neoplasm in women using contraceptives]. / Czestosc nowotworów u kobiet stosujacych doustne srodki antykoncepcyjne.

Contraceptive is an important issue of women's life. In the present times there are many methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages and an appropriate choice of the method determines its promotion high efficiency and comfort its application. Today there is no method of contraception, which would not be charged some risk for the application. Following the review will allow literature to analyze impact of the various methods for the development of cancer control means diseases which may constitute a serious threat to health and life women.