Microbiota changes: the unseen players in cervical cancer progression.

Cervical cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers globally with high-risk human papillomaviruses implicated in nearly 99% of cases. However, hidden players such as changes in the microbiota are now being examined as potential markers in the progression of this disease. Researchers suggest that changes in the vaginal microbiota might correlate with cervical cancer. This review provides a comprehensive look at the microbiota changes linked with the advancement of cervical cancer. It also scrutinizes the databases from past studies on the microbiota during healthy and cancerous stages, drawing connections between prior findings concerning the role of the microbiota in the progression of cervical cancer. Preliminary findings identify Fusobacterium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Campylobacter spp., and Haemophilus spp., as potential biomarkers for cervical cancer progression. Alloscardovia spp., Eubacterium spp., and Mycoplasma spp. were identified as potential biomarkers for HPVs (+), while Methylobacterium spp. may be indicative of HPV (-). However, the study's limitations, including potential biases and methodological constraints, underscore the need for further research to validate these findings and delve deeper into the microbiota's role in HPV development. Despite these limitations, the review provides valuable insights into microbiota trends during cervical cancer progression, offering direction for future research. The review summarizes key findings from previous studies on microbiota during healthy and cancerous stages, as well as other conditions such as CIN, SIL, HPV (+), and HPV (-), indicating a promising area for further investigation. The consistent presence of HPV across all reported cervical abnormalities, along with the identification of distinct bacterial genera between cancerous and control samples, suggests a potential link that merits further exploration. In conclusion, a more profound understanding of the microbial landscape could elucidate the pathogenesis of cervical diseases and inform future strategies for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Vulvar melanoma: report on eleven cases and review of the literature.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Vulvar melanoma is a rare disease. We describe the experience of a single institution and review the literature. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study at the Department of Gynecology, Hospital do Cancer A. C. Camargo. METHODS: Eleven patients with vulvar melanoma attended between January 1987 and December 2006 were reviewed regarding clinicopathological characteristics, surgical therapy and follow-up. RESULTS: The initial symptoms were vulvar lesions, pruritus, pain and bleeding. The median age was 64.8 years. The median depth of invasion was 3.08 mm. The staging ranged from IB to IIIC (American Joint Committee on Cancer, 2002). All the patients underwent vulvectomy. Two patients did not undergo primary elective lymphadenectomy. Bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed on five patients, and one had unilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. Sentinel lymph node investigation was performed on three patients. Five patients had locoregional recurrence. Prolonged survival was only achieved in the absence of lymph node involvement. The median follow-up was 56 months. The median disease-free survival was 15 months and the median overall survival was 29 months. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for patients with vulvar melanoma is generally poor, with a high tendency towards regional and distant recurrence. Depth of invasion and lymph node involvement are the most important prognostic factors. In most cases, resection of the lesion with adequate margins may replace vulvectomy. Elective inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy remains the standard lymph node staging procedure. Sentinel lymph node investigation is feasible and should be performed by a multidisciplinary team with experience of this method.

Vulvar melanoma: report on eleven cases and review of the literature / Melanoma de vulva: relato de onze casos e revisão da literatura

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Vulvar melanoma is a rare disease. We describe the experience of a single institution and review the literature. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study at the Department of Gynecology, Hospital do Cancer A. C. Camargo. METHODS: Eleven patients with vulvar melanoma attended between January 1987 and December 2006 were reviewed regarding clinicopathological characteristics, surgical therapy and follow-up. RESULTS: The initial symptoms were vulvar lesions, pruritus, pain and bleeding. The median age was 64.8 years. The median depth of invasion was 3.08 mm. The staging ranged from IB to IIIC (American Joint Committee on Cancer, 2002). All the patients underwent vulvectomy. Two patients did not undergo primary elective lymphadenectomy. Bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed on five patients, and one had unilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. Sentinel lymph node investigation was performed on three patients. Five patients had locoregional recurrence. Prolonged survival was only achieved in the absence of lymph node involvement. The median follow-up was 56 months. The median disease-free survival was 15 months and the median overall survival was 29 months. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for patients with vulvar melanoma is generally poor, with a high tendency towards regional and distant recurrence. Depth of invasion and lymph node involvement are the most important prognostic factors. In most cases, resection of the lesion with adequate margins may replace vulvectomy. Elective inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy remains the standard lymph node staging procedure. Sentinel lymph node investigation is feasible and should be performed by a multidisciplinary team with experience of this method.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Melanoma de vulva é uma doença rara. Descrevemos a experiência de uma instituição e revisamos a literatura. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo no Departamento de Ginecologia do Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo. MÉTODOS: De Janeiro de 1987 a Dezembro de 2006, foram revisados aspectos clínico-patológicos, tratamento cirúrgico e acompanhamento de 11 pacientes com melanoma de vulva. RESULTADOS: Lesão vulvar, prurido, dor e sangramento foram sintomas iniciais. A idade mediana foi 64,8 anos. A mediana da profundidade de invasão foi 3.08 mm. O estadiamento variou de IB a IIIC (American Joint Committee on Cancer, 2002). Todas as pacientes foram submetidas a vulvectomia. Duas pacientes não foram submetidas a linfadenectomia eletiva primária. A linfadenectomia inguinal bilateral foi realizada em cinco pacientes e uma foi submetida à linfadenectomia inguinal unilateral. A pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela foi realizada em três casos. Cinco tiveram recidiva locorregional. A sobrevida prolongada esteve relacionada com a ausência de comprometimento linfonodal. O tempo mediano de acompanhamento foi de 56 meses. A sobrevida mediana livre de doença foi de 15 meses e a sobrevida mediana global de 29 meses. CONCLUSÕES: O prognóstico das pacientes com melanoma de vulva geralmente é ruim, com tendência a recorrência regional e à distância. A profundidade de invasão e envolvimento linfonodal são os principais fatores prognósticos. Na maioria dos casos a ressecção da lesão com margens adequadas pode substituir a vulvectomia. A linfadenectomia inguino-femoral eletiva ainda é o procedimento padrão para estadiamento linfonodal. Pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela é factível e deve ser realizada por equipe multidisciplinar com experiência no método.