Impact of adjuvant treatments and risk factors on survival in 2023 FIGO stage IIB endometrial cancer patients: Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of adjuvant treatments, factors influencing recurrence, and survival data in patients with 2023 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB endometrial cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with endometrial cancer who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2022 at seven different centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological, and survival data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among 7323 patients, 565 (7.7%) were classified as 2023 FIGO stage IIB based on pathological results. Of 565 patients, 214 were followed without receiving adjuvant treatment, while 335 (95.4%) received adjuvant radiotherapy, and 16 (4.6%) received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The locoregional recurrence rate was higher in patients with a tumor size >4 cm (p=0.038) and myometrial invasion >50% (p=0.045). In patients with distant metastasis, the recurrence rate was lower in those with myometrial invasion <50% compared with myometrial invasion ≥50% (p=0.031). The impact of adjuvant treatment on endometrial cancer patients revealed no significant differences for both disease free survival (p=0.85) and overall survival (p=0.54). Subgroup analyses showed that in patients with deep myometrial invasion, adjuvant treatment was associated with a significant increase in overall survival (p=0.044), but there was no effect on disease-free survival (p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage IIB endometrial cancer with myometrial invasion ≥50% were more likely to have locoregional and distant metastases. Adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy did not demonstrate an overall survival benefit in these patients.

Oncologic and obstetric outcomes of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer patients who underwent fertility-sparing surgery: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the long-term oncologic and obstetric outcomes of women with epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent fertility-sparing surgery. METHODS: A total of 68 patients observed between March 2007 and July 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and uterine preservation with staging surgery were the main procedures for fertility-sparing surgery. Disease-free, overall survival, and obstetric outcomes were measured as primary outcomes. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 30.5 years. The median follow-up time was 60.5 months. Disease recurrence occurred in 15 (22.1%) of the patients. Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) percentages were 75.6% and 83.3%, respectively, for all stages. The FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics) stage was the only significant factor that affected OS (P = 0.001). Twenty-three patients tried to conceive, and 15 (65.2%) patients became pregnant. Twelve (80%) pregnancies reached term and resulted in 15 live births. Chemotherapy administration and surgical intervention (cystectomy or unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) showed no difference in pregnancy results (P = 0.806 and P = 0.066, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fertility preservation is safe for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer at early stages for women in the reproductive era. Disease recurrence and OS results are similar to standard treatment at early stages with decent obstetric outcomes.

Prognostic factors and survival outcomes of women with uterine leiomyosarcoma: A Turkish Uterine Sarcoma Group Study-003.

To assess the clinicopathological features, prognostic factors, and survival rates associated with uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS). Databases from 15 participating gynecological oncology centers in Turkey were searched retrospectively for women who had been treated for stage I-IV uLMS between 1996 and 2018. Of 302 consecutive women with uLMS, there were 234 patients with Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I disease and 68 with FIGO stage II-IV disease. All patients underwent total hysterectomy. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 161 (54.5%) cases. A total of 195 patients received adjuvant treatment. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 42% and 54%, respectively. Presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), higher degree of nuclear atypia, and absence of lymphadenectomy were negatively correlated with DFS, while LVSI, mitotic count, higher degree of nuclear atypia, FIGO stage II-IV disease, and suboptimal surgery significantly decreased OS. LVSI and higher degree of nuclear atypia appear to be prognostic indicators for uLMS. Lymphadenectomy seems to have a significant effect on DFS but not on OS.

Is the extent of lymphadenectomy a prognostic factor in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer?

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of adequate lymph node dissection (LND) (≥10 pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) and ≥ 5 paraaortic LNs removed) in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). METHODS: A multicenter department database review was performed to identify patients who had been operated and diagnosed with stage II EEC at seven centers in Turkey retrospectively. Demographic, clinicopathological, and survival data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 284 women with stage II EEC. There were 170 (59.9%) patients in the adequate lymph node dissection (LND) group and 114 (40.1%) in the inadequate LND group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the inadequate LND group was significantly lower than that of the adequate LND group (84.1% vs. 89.1%, respectively; p = 0.028). In multivariate analysis, presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-4.63; p = 0.009), age ≥ 60 (HR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.65-6.57; p = 0.001], and absence of adjuvant therapy (HR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.40-5.35; p = 0.003) remained as independent risk factors for decreased 5-year disease-free survival (DFS). Inadequate LND (HR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.18-4.63; p < 0.001), age ≥ 60 (HR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.25-5.72; p = 0.011), and absence of adjuvant therapy (HR: 4.95, 95% CI: 2.28-10.73; p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for decreased 5-year OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Adequate LND and adjuvant therapy were significant for the improvement of outcomes in FIGO stage II EEC patients. Furthermore, LVSI was associated with worse 5-year DFS rate in stage II EEC.

Are There Any Predictors of Endometrial Premalignancy/Malignancy within Endometrial Polyps in Infertile Patients?

BACKGROUND: In the literature, there is no detailed analysis on the prediction factors for premalignancy/malignancy within endometrial polyps (EPs) in infertile patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of endometrial premalignancy/malignancy within EPs in infertile patients undergoing office hysteroscopic polypectomy and identify the factors that can potentially predict an endometrial premalignancy/malignancy within EPs. METHOD: A total of 957 infertile patients undergoing office hysteroscopy were diagnosed with EPs between February 2011 and August 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the pathological examination of EPs as benign (Group 1; n = 939) and premalignant/malignant (Group 2; n = 18). The medical records of all patients included in the study were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: In this cohort, prevalence of endometrial premalignancy/malignancy within EPs was 18/957 (1.88%). On univariate analysis, age, polyp size, diabetes, hypertension, and causes of infertility did not differ between the 2 groups. On multivariate analysis, diffuse polypoid appearance of the endometrial cavity on office hysteroscopy (hazard ratio [HR] 4.1; 95% CI 1.576-10.785), duration of infertility, (HR 4; 95% CI 1.279-12.562), and body mass index (HR 7.9; 95% CI 2.591-24.258) were found to be independent predictors of endometrial premalignancy/malignancy within polyps in infertile patients. CONCLUSION: When diffuse polypoid appearance of the endometrial cavity is detected in an infertile patient during office hysteroscopy, hysteroscopy-guided resection and endometrial curettage should be performed. The pathological specimen should be sent for histopathological evaluation to diagnose possible endometrial premalignancy/malignancy within polyps.

Para-aortic lymph node involvement revisited in the light of the revised 2018 FIGO staging system for cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This dual-institutional, retrospective study aimed to determine the clinicopathological risk factors for para-aortic lymph node (LN) metastasis among women who underwent radical hysterectomy with systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for 2009 FIGO stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer. METHODS: Institutional cervical cancer databases of two high-volume gynecologic cancer centers in Ankara, Turkey were retrospectively analyzed. Women with 2009 FIGO stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer that had undergone radical hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy between January 2006 and December 2018 were included in the study. Patient data were analyzed with respect to para-aortic LN involvement and all potential clinicopathological risk factors for para-aortic LN metastasis were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 522 women met the inclusion criteria. Pelvic LN metastasis was detected in 190 patients (36.4%), para-aortic LN metastasis in 48 patients (9.2%), isolated para-aortic LN metastasis in 4 (0.8%), and both pelvic and para-aortic LN metastasis in 44 (8.4%) women, respectively. The independent risk factors identified for para-aortic LN involvement included parametrial invasion (odds ratio [OR]: 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65-7.72; p = 0.001), metastasized pelvic LN size > 1 cm (OR: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.75-11.64; p = 0.002), multiple pelvic LN metastases (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.46-10.01; p = 0.006), and common iliac LN metastasis (OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.01-8.68; p = 0.04). A total of 196 (37.5%) patients exhibited at least one risk factor for para-aortic nodal disease. CONCLUSION: Parametrial invasion, metastasized pelvic LN size > 1 cm, multiple pelvic LN metastases, and common iliac LN metastasis seem to be independent predictors of para-aortic LN involvement.

Risk Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis among Lymphovascular Space Invasion-Positive Women with Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Clinically Confined to the Uterus.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess risk factors for lymph node (LN) metastasis among lymphovascular space invasion(LVSI)-positive women with pure endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) clinically confined to the uterus. METHODS: Medical records of women who underwent primary surgery for EC between 2007 and 2016 at either of 2 gynecological oncology centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data were analyzed with respect to LN involvement, and predictive factors for LN metastasis were investigated. RESULTS: 280 patients with surgically staged endometrioid-type EC with LVSI were identified. LN involvement was detected in 88 patients (31.4%) with a systematic LN dissection. In multivariate analysis, elevated baseline serum CA 125 levels, deep myometrial invasion (MMI), adnexal involvement and positive peritoneal cytology were found to be independent risk factors for LN metastasis. In women without deep MMI and elevated baseline serum CA 125 levels, the rate of LN metastasis was 19%. The presence of solely deep MMI increased this probability up to 29.1%. The rate of LN metastasis was found to be 46.8% for women with both deep MMI and elevated baseline serum CA 125 levels. CONCLUSION: These findings may be useful in the decision-making process for LVSI-positive women who are unstaged.

Possible impact of immunosuppressive therapy regimens on histopathologic outcomes of abnormal uterine bleeding in solid-organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of histopathologic outcomes of solid-organ transplantation in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) receiving immunosuppressive therapies. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including a single-center experience. Data were extracted from hospital records, and solid-organ transplant recipients who were diagnosed with AUB were included. RESULTS: Fifty-five of these patients were renal transplant recipients (79.7%), and 14 were liver transplant recipients (20.3%). Histopathologic examination showed various histopathologic patterns of endometrium in patients with AUB consisting of normal histopathologic findings of endometrium in 31 patients (48.4%); 29 hormonal imbalance during proliferative and secretory phases of menstrual cycle and two atrophic endometrium. Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia was observed in 11 patients (17.2%). Polyp was seen in 22 patients (34.4%); 21 endometrial polyp and one endocervical polyp. There were significant differences in terms of histopathologic findings among the three groups of patients according to different immunosuppressive regimens (P = .029). There was no endometrial hyperplasia in women receiving sirolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens. Moreover, there was no endometrial hyperplasia in the liver transplant recipient group. CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens may be administered to patients who have risk factors for endometrial precancerous lesions, such as endometrial hyperplasia. However, additional well-designed, large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Prognostic factors for maximally or optimally cytoreduced stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predictive of poor prognosis in women with stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who had undergone maximal or optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by six cycles of intravenous carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with stage III nonserous EOC who had undergone maximal or optimal primary CRS followed by six cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy at seven gynecological oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 218 women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 64 (29.4%) patients had endometrioid, 61 (28%) had mucinous, 54 (24.8%) had clear-cell and 39 (17.9%) had mixed epithelial tumors. Fifty-five (25.2%) patients underwent maximal CRS, whereas 163 (74.8%) had optimal debulking. With a median follow-up of 31.5 months, the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 34.8% and 44.2%, respectively. Bilaterality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.01-2.056; P = 0.04), age (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.176-4.323; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.202-0.58; P < 0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors for PFS. However, age (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.215-5.591; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.166-0.615; P < 0.001) were defined as independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: The extent of CRS seems to be the only modifiable prognostic factor associated with stage III nonserous EOC. Complete cytoreduction to no gross residual disease should be the main goal of management in these women.

Prognostic factors and patterns of recurrence in lymphovascular space invasion positive women with stage IIIC endometriod endometrial cancer.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic factors and patterns of failure in lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI)-positive women with stage IIIC endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective, department database review was performed to identify LVSI-positive patients with stage IIIC endometrioid EC at five gynecological oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. RESULTS: We identified 172 LVSI-positive women with stage IIIC endometrioid EC during the study period; 75 (43.6%) were classified as Stage IIIC1 and 97 (56.4%) as Stage IIIC2 . The median age at diagnosis was 59 years, and the median duration of follow up was 34.5 months. The total number of recurrences was 46 (26.7%). We observed 14 (8.1%) locoregional recurrences, 12 (7.0%) retroperitoneal failures and 20 (11.6%) distant relapses. For the entire study cohort, 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 67.4%, while the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 75.1%. Grade 3 histology (hazard ratio [HR] 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-5.12; P = 0.005), cervical stromal invasion (HR 2.33, 95% CI 1.09-4.99; P = 0.028) and myometrial invasion (MMI) ≥50% (HR 4.0, 95% CI 1.16-13.69; P = 0.028) were found to be independent prognostic factors for decreased OS. CONCLUSION: Uterine factors such as grade 3 disease, cervical stromal invasion and deep MMI seem to be independently associated with decreased OS in LVSI-positive women with stage IIIC endometrioid EC. The high distant recurrence rate in this subgroup of patients warrants further studies in order to identify the most effective treatment strategy for those patients.

Cloacogenic Adenocarcinoma of the Vulva: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the vulva, unrelated to the native glands of perineum is an extremely rare neoplasm. Despite awareness of this lesion for over 40 years, the origin is not beyond speculation. The most reasonable hypothesis is based on the remnants of cloacal differentiation during early days of life. Here we report the case of a 60-year-old patient with a vulvar mass, who underwent partial vulvectomy and bilateral regional lymph node dissection. The tumor was composed of papillary and complex glandular structures and exhibited diffuse positivity for cytokeratin 20 and polyclonal CEA, CDX2, and focal positivity with cytokeratin 7. Unlike the indolent behavior of this malignant neoplasm according to the literature, we found two metastatic inguinal lymph nodes. She did not receive adjuvant therapy and is still alive, free of disease 38 months after surgery. We present different aspects of vulvar adenocarcinomas with a case report.

Alternative tumor markers in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of various tumor markers (CA125, HE4, bcl2) measured in serum, urine and saliva in the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study was conducted at the Baskent University Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey, between November 2010 and March 2011. Fifty patients with a suspicion of malignant adnexal mass and 30 controls were included in the study. Serum and urine CA-125, HE4, and bcl2 levels were evaluated for their role in the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). RESULTS: Serum CA-125 and HE4 levels, and urine HE4 levels were significantly higher in malignant cases as compared to controls (p < 0.05). Mean levels of bcl2 in saliva and urine were similar in malignant cases and controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that serum CA125, serum HE4 and urine HE4 levels were elevated in patients with ovarian cancer. These findings should be assessed in future studies with larger sample sizes in order to reach more definite conclusions.

Evaluation of a New Oncogynecologic Training Program.

OBJECTIVE: The first cohort of Turkish fellows has begun to graduate from a newly accredited training program on gynecologic oncology. This study aimed to investigate the value of experience on the confidence of these fellows to perform surgical procedures. METHODS: We assessed the characteristics of 32 fellows, including the perceived adequacy of their fellowship training, the facilities of the clinics at which they were trained, and their levels of exposure and confidence in performing a total of 44 procedures. Exposure levels were performing, assisting with, observing, or no exposure. Confidence was assessed by asking whether they could perform each procedure. Correlation analysis was used to determine the link between exposure levels and confidence. RESULTS: The confidence of fellows to perform a surgical procedure increased with exposure to that procedure (r = 0.820, P < 0.001). Performing, assisting with, and observing a procedure created a sense of confidence in 97.2%, 54.1%, and 31.1% of fellows. The majority of fellows (>75%) had performed type 2 hysterectomy, total omentectomy, and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. None of the fellows had ever performed a trachelectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts should be made in accredited systems for gynecologic oncology surgical training to provide more opportunities for trainees to perform surgical procedures, rather than assisting with and observing them.

Risk factors for residual disease after cervical conization in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 and positive surgical margins.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for the persistence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade ≥2 following repeat surgical procedures in patients with CIN grades 2 and 3 and positive surgical margins. STUDY DESIGN: This study included patients with CIN grades 2 and 3 and positive surgical margins following loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEP), who had undergone additional surgery between 2007 and 2014. Factors associated with CIN grade ≥2 on biopsy results after the second operation were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Factors considered included patient age, parity, menopausal status, smoking, referral cytology, initial LEEP pathology, time interval between LEEP and surgical procedures, presence of disease on endocervical sampling, endocervical surgical margins, glands, disease surrounding ≥50% of the cervical circumference and requirement for multiple sweeps on initial LEEP to excise a lesion. The forward likelihood ratio method was used and significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Repeat surgical procedures were performed in 104 patients, 75 with CIN 2 and 29 with CIN 3, with 43 (41.3%) reported as normal or CIN 1. However, 57 (54.8%) patients had CIN ≥2 lesions and four (3.8%) had previously undiagnosed cervical cancer. Factors associated with CIN ≥2 lesions included requirement for multiple sweeps (vs. a single sweep; odds ratio [OR] 5.967; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.183-16.311, p<0.001) and involvement of ≥50% of the cervical circumference (vs. <50%; OR 5.073; 95% CI 1.501-17.146, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: As lesions requiring multiple sweeps for excision and/or surrounding ≥50% of the cervical circumference during initial conization are associated with recurrent CIN ≥2 lesions, attention should be paid during resection to prevent margin positivity. If surgical margins are positive, however, repeat surgical procedures should be considered in patients with CIN 2 and CIN 3 lesions and these risk factors.

Is colposcopic evaluation necessary in all women with postcoital bleeding?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate what extent postcoital bleeding (PCB) is an indicator of cervical cancer (CIN2 (+)). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Between 2007 and 2013, amongst all referred patients, a total of 1491 consecutive women who had both conventional cytology and cervical biopsy were enrolled in the study. Of those 237 women have PCB, according to biopsy results, subjects were divided into two groups: CIN1 (-) and CIN2 (+). Multiple logistic regressions was used to construct a model to predict the occurrence of CIN 2 (+) based on age, menopause, marriage status, smoking, PCB, HPV and cytology. RESULTS: Among the all women with CIN 2 (+) colposcopy guided biopsy result, PCB was 13.1% (53/406). The relationship between biopsy results and age, parity, menopausal status, marital status, smoking, presence of PCB, HPV DNA, and cytology is statistically significant (p=0.012, p=0.001, p=0.023, 0.013, p>0.001, p=0.038, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). According to regression analysis only smoking, HPV (+) and abnormal cytology increase the probability of CIN2 (+); 1.687 times (p=0.018), 4.065 times (p<0.001), 5.787 times (p=0.001) respectively. Having PCB only does not indicate an increased risk of CIN2 (+). CONCLUSION: Colposcopic examination and biopsy should be performed only in the situation where women have PCB and any of the following: smoking, positive HPV, or abnormal cytology.

Papanicolaou smear findings in solid-organ transplant recipients compared with normal subjects according to the Bethesda 2001 system.

OBJECTIVES: Solid-organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing cancer including cervical cancer compared with woman in the general population, mostly due to long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The Papanicolaou smear remains the primary method of screening cervical pathology including preinvasive and invasive lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate Pap smear findings in solid-organ transplant recipients, determine the prevalence of abnormal smears, and compare these patients with the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 111 women patients who received liver or kidney transplant between January 1990 to December 2012 at Baskent University Ankara Hospital. Pap smear findings were compared with normal control patients matched for same age and technical procedure of cervical cytology. To selection of control patients, propensity score matching program was performed. All Pap smears were re-examined according to Bethesda 2001 criteria. RESULTS: In 111 transplant patients, 2 patients (1.8%) had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 8 patients (7.2%) had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 15 patients (13.5%) had Candida infection, 2 patients (1.8%) had Trichomonas vaginalis, 1 patient (0.9%) had herpes simplex infection, 13 patients (11.7%) had bacterial vaginosis, 15 patients (13.5%) had reactive changes due to inflammation, and 18 patients (16.2%) had atrophy. When we compared our results with the control group, there were statistically significant differences (P ≤ .05) between the 2 groups in epithelial cell abnormalities (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion), Candida infection, bacterial vaginosis, and atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Pap smear screening potentially may help recognize cervical preinvasive and invasive lesions. The risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is greater in transplant recipients because of immunosuppressive therapy. The incidence of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was significantly greater in transplant recipients than the general population. Intensive follow-up with Pap smear in transplant recipients is important in the early detection of these lesions.

The effect of raloxifene on left ventricular hypertrophy in postmenopausal women: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: In healthy women, there is a progressive age-related increase in myocardial mass that is not seen in their male counterparts and occurs primarily in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogenic actions on bone and the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of raloxifene on myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal patients. METHODS: A total of 22 postmenopausal osteoporotic women were included in this open-label, randomized, prospective, controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups: 11 of the patients (group 1) were treated with raloxifene 60 mg/day, and the other 11 patients(group 2) were defined as the control group. Quantitative 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients at the beginning and repeated at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Left ventricle mass (LVM) and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were calculated for all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.2±3.9 years, and baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were similar between the two groups. After 6 months of raloxifene treatment, there was no difference in echocardiographic parameters of LVM and LVMI compared with the control group (201.2±25.9 gr vs. 169.7±46.2 gr, p=0.14 and 120.4±25.9 gr/m2 vs. 105.5±26.3 gr/m2, p=0.195, respectively). There was also no significant difference in LVM and LVMI in the within-group analysis of both groups. CONCLUSION: Raloxifene therapy does not affect myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal women after 6 months of treatment.

The effect of Silymarin on VEGF, VEGFR-1 and IL-1α levels in placental cultures of severe preeclamptic women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Silymarin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF Receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) levels in placental tissue samples of severely preeclamptic women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an in vitro study in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey between September 2008 and May 2009. A total of 16 placental tissue samples (8 from severe preeclamptic, and 8 from controls) were analysed. Placental samples were incubated, and VEGF, sVEGFR-1, and IL1-α were measured in culture media using an ELISA kit. The effect of Silymarin on these levels was investigated. Descriptive statistics were initially performed, followed by Mann Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare means between groups. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Eight patients were included in the severe preeclampsia (SP) group, whereas the remaining 8 patients were included in the control group. There were no significant correlations between gestational age and placental VEGF, sVEGFR-1 and IL-1α after 48 or 72 hours of incubation. Basal VEGF levels were lower in the SP group; however, it did not reach statistical significance. sVEGFR-1 and IL-1α levels were also similar between the SP and control groups (p>0.05). After 48 and 72 hours of incubation, sVEGFR-1 levels in Silymarin-added SP and control placental cultures were lower than in the samples without Silymarin addition; however, this difference also did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: Although we could not demonstrate a significant effect on placental cytokines, considering the role of vasospasm, inflammation, angiogenesis, endothelial cell activation, and oxidative stress in preeclampsia, the potential benefits of Silymarin should be evaluated in future trials with a larger sample size.

Transobturator tape operation is more effective in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women with stress incontinence.

PURPOSE: Midurethral synthetic slings for female stress urinary incontinence are minimally invasive polypropylene mesh tapes that are inserted under the midurethra with trocars. In the past decade, this new technology has become the most commonly performed procedure for female stress urinary incontinence, replacing the traditional open procedures. However, its effectiveness in pre- and postmenopausal women has not previously been compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the clinical outcome of the transobturator tape (TOT) procedure in premenopausal (n=45) and postmenopausal (n=49) women by means of self-report and the Urinary Distress Inventory 6 (UDI-6) questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the pre- and postmenopausal women was 44 and 60 years, respectively. Mean parity was 2.4 and 3, respectively. There were no significant differences with respect to mean operation time, duration of hospitalization, or intraoperative and postoperative complications. However, premenopausal women were more satisfied with the operation than were postmenopausal women (p=0.014). Also, UDI-6 scores were significantly better in premenopausal women (p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The TOT operation appeared to be more effective in premenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our results.

Why women request cesarean section without medical indication?

OBJECTIVE: To understand the reasons of the cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) without medical indication would help to reduce the rates of unnecessary cesarean-delivery (CD). The objective of this study is to determine the basal knowledge of women regarding normal delivery (ND) and CD and also to assess their attitudes about CDMR, and to find out the reasons influencing those attitudes. METHODS: The study included 400 women who completed a 45-item questionnaire that assessed their basal knowledge of ND, CD, and their attitudes and beliefs about the mode of delivery and CDMR. RESULTS: Mean age of the study population was 32 ± 10.2 years (range 18-66). Majority of the women would choose the ND because of its 'being completely natural' (89%) and no anesthesia and operative risk related with ND (76%). Only 33% of the women indicated that ND might cause genital organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence and just 26% and 24% of the women would choose CD to prevent pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, respectively. On the other hand, 50% and 54% of the women would indicate that they could choose CD in order to prevent labor pain and to minimize the risk of fetal distress during the labor. Furthermore, 47% of the women had an opinion that that CD could be performed by maternal request without medical indication. Educational level had no effect of CDMR although more educated women had more accurate knowledge about the some risk and benefits of ND and CD. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that fear of labor pain (p = 0.02, OR: 15.0, CI: 0.494-0.966), maternal age (p = 0.01, OR: 6.3,CI: 1.00-1.05), and knowledge about the relation between the ND and pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence (p < 0.001, OR: 4.8, CI: 0.549-0.966) were the independent prognostic variables for the CDMR. CONCLUSION: Although majority of the women had wrong idea or no idea about the risks and benefits of CD, nearly half of them indicated that women can always demand CDMR. This study shows that basal knowledge of the women should be improved by education.