Phase II study of oxaliplatin as second-line chemotherapy in endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: A phase II study was conducted to determine the efficacy of oxaliplatin therapy in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who had received one prior platinum therapy. METHODS: Eligible patients were to have measurable disease and one prior chemotherapy regimen which could include cisplatin or carboplatin. Oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 was administered intravenously over 2 h. This treatment was repeated every 21 days until progression of disease or adverse effects prohibited further therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were entered on study, of which 52 were eligible and 50 had had prior platinum therapy. The overall response rate was 13.5%, with three patients (5.8%) achieving a complete response and four patients (7.7%) achieving a partial response. Median duration of response was 10.9+ (range: 4.1-50.3+) months. Stable disease was reported in 15 (28.8%) patients, with an associated median duration of 5.4 (range: 2.2-19.6) months. Drug-related toxicities consisted of anemia, nausea and vomiting, and neurotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Oxaliplatin at the dose and schedule employed has limited activity in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma who have had previous platinum therapy.

Conservative management of a myxoid endometrial stromal sarcoma in a 16-year-old nulliparous woman.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas comprise less than 1% of all gynecological cancers and 2% to 5% of all uterine malignancies, of which endometrial stromal sarcoma accounts for approximately 15%. Surgery is fundamental in sarcoma management and a total hysterectomy is performed in the majority of cases. CASE: Presented is a case of low-grade myxoid endometrial stromal sarcoma in a nulliparous adolescent female managed by local resection and uterine reconstruction. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, the initial management of a localized and well defined low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma could potentially be conservative (uterine-sparing) surgical resection.

Management of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) is a precursor of invasive disease that is being more frequently diagnosed during the reproductive years. Few reports have described the treatment of this condition in gravid women. The purpose of this study was to review our collective experience managing cervical AIS during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review of all women diagnosed with AIS during pregnancy from 1995 to 2004 at 3 academic institutions. RESULTS: Eleven women with a median age of 32 years were identified. Five who received a diagnosis in the early second trimester underwent uncomplicated cold knife conization (CKC) at 14 to 19 weeks' gestation. Six patients underwent postpartum CKC. All 11 women delivered at term. One patient undergoing postpartum CKC required radical hysterectomy for stage IB1 cervical adenocarcinoma. Four subsequent pregnancies occurred among patients having fertility-sparing surgery. CONCLUSION: Management of cervical AIS during pregnancy by early second trimester CKC is safe for mother and fetus.

The effect of regional cooling on toxicity associated with intravenous infusion of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine if regional cooling reduces palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) associated with intravenous infusion of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD). METHODS: A retrospective review over 3 years identified 20 women who were treated with single-agent intravenous PLD for recurrent ovarian carcinoma. During PLD infusion, patients kept ice packs around their wrists and ankles, and consumed iced liquids. These steps were continued for 24 h after completion of chemotherapy. All patients were instructed not to ingest hot food or liquids, to avoid contact with hot water, and to minimize friction on the hands and feet for 72 h posttreatment. RESULTS: Seventeen of the twenty patients (85%) followed the regional cooling protocol, and three of twenty (15%) did not. In the group who underwent regional cooling, 16/17 (94%) had none to mild PPE (grades 0-2), and 1/17 (6%) had moderate to severe PPE (grades 3-4). Of the three patients without regional cooling, 1/3 (33%) had grades 0-2 PPE and 2/3 (67%) had grades 3-4 PPE (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Regional cooling may reduce the frequency and severity of PPE associated with intravenous PLD infusion for recurrent ovarian carcinoma. Prospective, randomized evaluation is needed to confirm this observation.

Endometrial adenocarcinoma within a single horn of a didelphic uterus: a report of 2 cases.

BACKGROUND: Didelphic uterus results from incomplete fusion of the müllerian ducts. CASES: In 2 cases, endometrial adenocarcinoma arose in 1 horn of a didelphic uterus. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of müllerian anomalies, which may go undetected, resulting in diagnostic delay.

Robotically assisted endoscopic ovarian transposition.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian transposition is the anatomical relocation of the ovaries from the pelvis to the abdomen. Transposition is beneficial in women who are to undergo pelvic radiation, because it allows maintenance of ovarian function and preservation of assisted reproductive capacity. METHODS: The da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountainview, CA, USA) was used to perform an endoscopic ovarian transposition. The ovaries were mobilized on their respective infundibulopelvic ligaments and sutured to the ipsilateral pericolic gutters. RESULTS: A series, of laboratory sessions using the da Vinci system was completed at our institution's training facility. Surgical experience included cadaveric pelvic dissection and abdominopelvic procedures on anesthetized porcine models. Additional didactic and laboratory training, including a certification examination, was obtained from Intuitive Surgical, Inc. The first clinical case of robotically assisted endoscopic ovarian transposition was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Robotically assisted endoscopy was successfully used for ovarian transposition.