Postmenopausal palpable ovary and ovarian cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound (US) examination is a much more reliable method for evaluation of potential ovarian cancer risk than gynecologic palpation. The aim of our study was to analyze the US characteristics of patients with palpable ovaries in light of potential for malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 70 women ten years after menopause without increased CA 125 values. They underwent clinical and US exams (abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound), with special emphasis on US Doppler exam. RESULTS: Bimanuel gynecological examination showed palpable ovaries in 14 patients (palpable ovary group), and the remaining 56 patients were defined as the control group. US showed increased dimensions of palpable ovaries. Atypical follicular activity, deviation from verticalization, atypical ovaries and hyperechogenic punctations classified under germ cell cysts occurred statistically significantly more often in the palpable ovary group. Doppler flow showed pathological vascularization in five patients with palpable ovaries and the estrogen level was increased. After four to six months in these five patients we found a mild increase of estrogen levels and higher Doppler abnormality. Six months later, two patients had irregular bleeding and underwent surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Every adnexal mass after menopausis demands special attention. Bimanuel gynecological exams should be used liberally. It is necessary to follow the dimensions of the ovary, describe the echostructure, as well as the edges of the ovary and other anatomical structures. Doppler flow measurement and estrogen levels are predictive and give more information. Controls should be in three to six month intervals in order to make a decision for surgical treatment.

Is insulin-dependent diabetes and obesity a predisposition for endometrial and pancreatic carcinoma?

Among 178 patients operated for endometrial carcinoma during a five-year period, 17 were re-operated at the Institute of Surgery (9.5%) because of pancreatic head carcinoma. The frequency of insulin-dependent diabetes was pointed out in patients-- 28% of those who were first diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. Moreover in the same group diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma, we found 17 to have pancreatic carcinoma, and among those there were 12 cases that had diabetes (70.58%).

Bone metastasis arising from a polyp of the cervix as the first symptom in generalized multi-organ adenocarcinoma.

Our patient was a 40-year-old female with a positive familial history for malignancies but no chronic diseases. After two vaginal deliveries without any reported difficulties, the patient had no intermenstrual bleeding, postcoital bleeding, leucorrhea or hypermenorrhea, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or postmenstrual bleeding, except during the past five-year period when a polyp-like change in the cervix was found. There was no indication for polypectomy, considering the fact that the patient had no symptoms, had an iodine positive Schiller test, as well as regular cytological smears on Papanicolaou testing. It is noteworthy that the patient had no symptoms until changes in the stool and painful sensation in the hip area. The patient was subjected to extensive surgery by a team composed of a gynecologist, surgeon and orthopedist. During Werthaim-Meigs surgery, four positive glandules and cervical adenocarcinoma Stage II were found. The colon was removed, as a right hemicolectomy, as well as the iliac bone upper segment. Unfortunately, considering the changes in the tissue of the colon and cervix, we considered the condition to be "generalized" adenocarcinoma.

Ovulation stimulation after treatment for a molar pregnancy for or against?

The case of a 29-year-old patient who underwent invitro fertilization due to secondary sterility, after a spontaneous but molar pregnancy, is described. Afterwards there was no spontaneous conception for five years. With the couple's consent, we decided to perform in vitro fertilization, i.e., ovulation induction and the ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) method.

Evaluation of the Alvarado score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

This study has been performed in the Emergency center, Clinical centre of Serbia, during the period 01.03.2007-01.09.2007. We performed this study on 57 patients with diagnosis suspected for acute appendicitis (ages 16-70). Parameters that make the Alvarado score are the following: migration of pain, anorexia, nausea or vomiting, right lower abdominal quadrant tenderness, rebound tenderness in right iliac fossa, elevated temperature, leukocytosis, shift to the left of neutrophils. The aim of the work is to evaluate the Alvarado scoring system in diagnosis of the acute appendicitis. With all the patients Alvarado score has been determinate preoperatively, and diagnosis was confirmed by intraoperative finding and histopatological examination of the removed appendix. All the patients with score 7 or more were surgically managed. Specificity (positive predictive value) was 92.59 % in males and 76.67 % in females. The negative appendectomy rate was 7.41 % with the males and 23.33 % with the females. The values of the Alvarado score are significantly higher in the patients with acute appendicitis, compared with the patients of the other diseases. With the application of the Alvarado scoring system we can decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Uterine sarcoma diagnosed during colon surgery--a complete precise diagnosis.

Uterine sarcomas are very rare tumors with the greatest malignant potential of all uterine tumors, and they differ significantly from endometrial carcinoma by their specific course, propagation and prognosis. A 54-year-old patient, after three vaginal deliveries and negative personal and family history, as well as regular cycles, presented with secondary problems related to occasional constipation with sporadic diarrhea and bloody stools. Colonoscopy revealed a colon tumor.

Postoperative complications--massive transfusions in radical malignant gynecological surgeries.

At the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics we examined 24 women who were radically operated on and received massive transfusions during the intraoperative and postoperative period. Twelve developed massive transfusion complications such as urticaria, fever, and respiratory insufficiency known as TRALI (transfusion-related acute lung injury).

Increased AFP as an indicator of ovarian carcinoma and fetal kidney carcinoma--case report.

We examined a young primipara with increased alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values and cystic tumefaction of the right ovary. Having in mind a mild decrease in ovarian artery resistance index (RI) and suspected findings of fetal kidney, this situation was delicate due to its double pathology which was later confirmed. Wilms' tumor is the most common urogenital tumor in childhood, and it is detectable in the prenatal period by ultrasound examination. In utero kidney biopsy confirms diagnosis and facilitates decisions concerning the course of pregnancy. Relative risk of intervention limits this diagnostic procedure for indicated cases.

Cervical and duodenal polyps and their malignant alterations--case report.

During routine examination of a 32-year-old patient, a cervical polyp was found and CIN III was confirmed by biopsy. After performing colposcopy, biopsy and establishing CIN III as well as performing gastroscopy where a duodenal polyp was found, thorough diagnostic exams and therapy were carried out. Complete duodenal resection and conization were performed. The medical board decided that neither further radiation nor chemotherapy was needed.

Endometrial carcinoma and hormonal disturbances in middle-aged women--an overview.

Endometrial hyperplasias and endometrial adenocarcinomas present a morphological continuity. In 1,150 cases of patients admitted to two hospitals over the past two years with diagnosed irregular bleeding, suspected ultrasonography findings and positive family history, we performed, not only hormonal examinations, but also fractioned explorative curettage after receiving patient consent.

Endometriosis and possible malignant transformation.

By examining the cause of infertility for a the period of three years in the two largest hospitals in Belgrade, we found 453 cases of endometriosis out of 683 cases of laparoscopy. During the procedure, removal of endometrial foci, histological examination of the sample and removal of genital and peritoneum abnormalities by laser were carried out. Interestingly, in only 8% of the cases were cancerous changes of the ovary diagnosed. Out of 36 patients with established diagnoses, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed in four cases.

Metastases of the digestive tract and ovarian tumors--or vice versa: an analysis.

Ovarian carcinoma may appear regardless of age, including during childhood. Predisposing factors for the development of ovarian carcinoma are age (usually over 40), positive family history, mumps parotitis, small number of deliveries, environmental factors, persistant ovulation, etc. Metastases may appear in the ovary from almost all primary sites.

The incidence of vulvar pathology and vulvectomy within risk and non-risk groups.

At the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics over a period of five years, more than 180,000 women were examined; 580 simple and 178 radical vulvectomies were performed.

Vaginal malignant melanoma in a healthy pregnancy--a case report.

Vaginal melanomas account for fewer than 2% of vaginal malignancies. The mean age at diagnosis is 55 years and the prognosis is poor, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 5% to 10%.

Torsion of carcinomatous ovarian cyst and polycystic omental diseases--case report.

A middle-aged patient, without any positive personal or familial history was urgently hospitalized and, after primary diagnostic procedures, treated by surgery for torsion and acute abdomen. During the procedure, torsioned ovarian cyst and a probable perforated omental cyst were found. Primary ovarian cancer and secondary polycystic metastatic echoes of the omentum were established by histopathology.

Hysterectomy in a malignant molar pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Hydatidiform mole is a degenerative chorion disturbance of unknown etiology. It is characterized by a permanent whitish enlargement of the chorionic villi with a grape-like appearance and poor vascularization. The symptoms of a molar pregnancy are nausea and vomiting which are present in more than one-third of the patients. Other symptoms include an enlarged uterus and vaginal bleeding. Our patient was a 19-year-old primipara with a twin pregnancy where one embryo was molar. Diagnosis was confirmed by beta-hCG levels.

Cervical carcinoma and pregnancy in a young primipara.

Cervical carcinoma is the fourth most common malignant disease in women, after breast, lung and colon cancer. It is present in two-thirds of all malignant diseases of the genital tract. Although in most of Europe patients are subjected to regular health screening, diagnoses of severe life-threatening alterations are often made when they are already in late stages.

Breast cancer and borderline ovarian carcinoma in young patients--case report.

Cystosarcoma phyloides is a breast cancer with deterrent features because of its size and fast growth. Borderline ovarian tumors comprise 10% to 15% of all epithelial tumors of the ovary. Regardless of the tumor type (serous, mucinous, clear cell, Brenner, mixed) they can be benign, borderline or malignant. There is a close physiological relation between the breasts and genital tract. By routine examination of girls in secondary schools, suspected ultrasonography findings were found in two out of 180 examinees.

Ultrasound and surgery for gall bladder carcinoma during pregnancy.

Gall bladder carcinoma is the most common carcinoma of the biliary tract and the fifth most common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. The patients usually have no symptoms at all or non-specific symptoms are present. The therapy for gall bladder carcinoma is complete removal. Unfortunately, in 80% of the cases the survival period is less than one year.

The significance of detailed examination of hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

In the population of pregnant women in Serbia and Montenegro, hemorrhoids are present in 85% of the cases during the second and third pregnancy. Urged by the complications of non-treated hemorrhoids, we carried out a routine diagnostic procedure to examine hemorrhoids during pregnancy, i.e. a differential diagnosis with other possible complications was performed. Fifty patients, aged between 36 and 38, were examined by anoscope and rectoscope during the second trimester. Rectal carcinoma was found in three cases, which is a disturbing number. The patient with the most serious clinical picture was subjected to urgent artificial fetal lung maturation and surgical delivery. One of the patients had clinical cachexia, and in view of the fact that the magnetic resonance imaging during pregnancy showed infiltration and that the patient was 38 years old, with the patient's consent, surgery was performed together with hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy and immediate removal of the rectum and anus. In the other two cases, the delivery ended vaginally between the 35th and 38th week of gestation, after which the patients were moved to the surgery ward. Besides a positive family history for digestive tract carcinoma (95%), smoking and increased body mass index, there were no significant parameters distinguishing these three patients from others with hemorrhoids. Interesting data were obtained from the fact that there was no increase in body mass during pregnancy which patients correlated with their already present obesity. Moreover, pain was correlated with the fact that the patients did not follow a healthy dietary regime. In all 50 patients, the following procedures were performed: anoscope, rectoscope and digestive tract tumor markers. Observing the results of the biopsies, we found rectal carcinoma Stage C according to Dukes staging (tumor included serosa) in one case. In the other two cases, Stage B1 carcinomas were found (which included all layers except serosa). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and confirmed progression of the disease. The delivery ended per vias naturalis in two cases in view of the fact that it was the third pregnancy for both patients. Surgery was performed 40 days after delivery. Postoperative recovery was unremarkable in all described cases.