Extended-duration antibiotics are not associated with a reduction in surgical site infection in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery with large bowel resection.

OBJECTIVE(S): To evaluate whether extended dosing of antibiotics (ABX) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with large bowel resection for advanced ovarian cancer is associated with reduced incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) compared to standard intra-operative dosing and evaluate predictors of SSI. METHODS: A retrospective single-institution cohort study was performed in patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who underwent CRS from 2009 to 2017. Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1) standard intra-operative dosing ABX and 2) extended post-operative ABX. All ABX dosing was at the surgeon's discretion. The impact of antibiotic duration on SSI and other postoperative outcomes was assessed using univariate and multivariable Cox regression models. RESULTS: In total, 277 patients underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with large bowel resection between 2009 and 2017. Forty-nine percent (n = 137) received standard intra-operative ABX and 50.5% (n = 140) received extended post-operative ABX. Rectosigmoid resection was the most common large bowel resection in the standard ABX (89.9%, n = 124) and extended ABX groups (90.0%, n = 126), respectively. No significant differences existed between age, BMI, hereditary predisposition, or medical comorbidities (p > 0.05). No difference was appreciated in the development of superficial incisional SSI between the standard ABX and extended ABX cohorts (10.9% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.62). Of patients who underwent a transverse colectomy, a larger percentage of patients developed a superficial SSI versus no SSI (21% vs. 6%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION(S): In this retrospective study of patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing CRS with LBR, extended post-operative ABX was not associated with reduced SSI, and prolonged administration of antibiotics should be avoided unless clinically indicated.

Assessment of socioeconomic and racial differences in patients undergoing concurrent gynecologic oncology and urogynecology surgeries: a National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess social determinants of health impacting patients undergoing gynecologic oncology versus combined gynecologic oncology and urogynecology surgeries. METHODS: We identified patients who underwent gynecologic oncology surgeries from 2016 to 2019 in the National Inpatient Sample using the International Classification of Diseases-10 codes. Demographics, including race and insurance status, were compared for patients who underwent gynecologic oncology procedures only (Oncologic) and those who underwent concurrent incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse procedures (Urogynecologic-Oncologic). A logistic regression model assessed variables of interest after adjustment for other relevant variables. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019 the National Inpatient Sample database contained 389 (1.14%) Urogynecologic-Oncologic cases and 33 796 (98.9%) Oncologic cases. Urogynecologic-Oncologic patients were less likely to be white (62.1% vs 68.8%, p=0.02) and were older (median 67 vs 62 years, p<0.001) than Oncologic patients. The Urogynecologic-Oncologic cohort was less likely to have private insurance as their primary insurance (31.9% vs 38.9%, p=0.01) and was more likely to have Medicare (52.2% vs 42.8%, p=0.01). After multivariable analysis, black (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.89, p=0.02) and Hispanic patients (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.10, p=0.02) remained more likely to undergo Urogynecologic-Oncologic surgeries but the primary expected payer no longer differed significantly between the two groups (p=0.95). Age at admission, patient residence, and teaching location remained significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis of a large inpatient database we identified notable racial and geographical differences between the cohorts of patients who underwent Urogynecologic-Oncologic and Oncologic procedures.

Evidence and best practices for trauma-informed care in gynecologic oncology patients.

Diagnosing, treating, and managing gynecologic cancer can lead to significant physical and emotional stress, which may have lasting effects on a patient's overall health and quality of life. The physical symptoms of gynecologic cancer, such as pain, discomfort, and loss of function, may also contribute to emotional distress and anxiety. Further, the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of gynecologic cancer may be traumatic due to the need for invasive exams and procedures, especially in women with a history of sexual assault or other traumatic experiences.Women with gynecologic cancer may experience various emotional and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fear of recurrence. Trauma-informed care is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes the recognition and response to the impact of trauma on a patient's life. Further, trauma-informed care acknowledges that prior traumatic experiences may affect a patient's mental and physical health and that the healthcare system may unintentionally re-traumatize patients.Implementation of trauma-informed care can improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction with care, and reduce the risk of re-traumatization during cancer treatment and follow-up care. Therefore, gynecologic oncology providers should become familiar with the principles and practices of trauma-informed care and implement trauma-informed screening tools to identify patients who may benefit from additional support or referrals to mental health services. This review will explore the importance of trauma-informed care in patients with gynecologic cancer and its impact on outcomes. Further, we discuss principles and evidence-based practices of trauma-informed care and strategies to implement trauma-informed screening tools to identify patients who may benefit from additional support or referrals to mental health services.

Bridging the Gap from Bench to Bedside: A Call for In Vivo Preclinical Models to Advance Endometrial Cancer and Cervical Cancer Immuno-Oncology Research.

Advanced-stage endometrial and cervical cancers are associated with poor outcomes despite contemporary advances in surgical techniques and therapeutics. Recent clinical trial results have led to a shift in the treatment paradigm for both malignancies, where immunotherapy is now incorporated in the upfront setting for most patients with advanced endometrial and cervical cancers as the standard of care. Impressive response rates have been observed, but unfortunately, a subset of patients do not benefit from immunotherapy, and survival remains poor. Continued pre-clinical research and clinical trial development are crucial for our understanding of resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy and maximization of therapeutic efficacy. In this setting, syngeneic models are preferred over xenograft models as they allow for evaluation of the tumor-immune interaction in an immunocompetent host, most closely mimicking the tumor-immune interaction in human cancer patients. Unfortunately, significant disparities exist regarding syngeneic models in gynecologic malignancy, where queries from multiple large bioscience companies confirm no commercial availability of endometrial or cervical cancer syngeneic cell lines. Few published data exist regarding the recent development of several endometrial and cervical cancer syngeneic cell lines, warranting further investigation. Closing the disparity gap for pre-clinical models in endometrial and cervical cancer will support physician-scientists, basic and translational researchers, and clinical trialists who are dedicated to improving outcomes for our patients with advanced disease and poor prognosis.

Diagnosis and management of gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA), a rare subtype of cervical cancer, has garnered increasing attention recently for its distinctive histopathological features, unique classification, genetic characteristics, and variable clinical outcomes compared to squamous cell and adenocarcinoma subtypes. Historically, GEA has evolved from a poorly understood entity to a distinct subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma, only recently recognized in the 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Accordingly, characteristic morphological features define GEA, shedding light on the diagnostic challenges and potential misclassification that can occur in clinical practice. Genetic alterations, including KRAS, ARID1A, and PIK3CA mutations, play a pivotal role in the development and progression of GEA. This article reviews a case of GEA and aims to provide a contemporary overview of the genetic mutations and molecular pathways implicated in GEA pathogenesis, highlighting potential therapeutic targets and the prospects of precision medicine in its management. Patients with GEA have variable clinical outcomes, with some exhibiting aggressive behavior while others follow a more indolent course. This review examines the factors contributing to this heterogeneity, including stage at diagnosis, histological grade, and genetic alterations, and their implications for patient prognoses. Treatment strategies for GEA remain a topic of debate and research. Here, we summarize the current therapeutic options, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, while also exploring emerging approaches, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy. This article provides a comprehensive overview of GEA, synthesizing current knowledge from historical perspectives to contemporary insights, focusing on its classification, genetics, outcomes, and therapeutic strategies.

Learning to lead: The evolution of a pilot leadership curriculum for gynecologic oncology fellows at the Ohio State University.

•Leadership training is under-emphasized in traditional medical education.•An effective leadership curriculum must be dynamic and requires genuine investment from participants.•Through didactic education, self-reflection, and real-world perspective we can actively mold future leaders in gynecologic oncology.

The microbiome and gynecologic cancer: cellular mechanisms and clinical applications.

The microbiome plays a vital function in maintaining human health and homeostasis. Each microbiota has unique characteristics, including those of the gastrointestinal and female reproductive tract. Dysbiosis, or alterations to the composition of the microbial communities, impacts the microbiota-host relationship and is linked to diseases, including cancer. In addition, studies have demonstrated that the microbiota can contribute to a pro-carcinogenic state through altered host immunologic response, modulation of cell proliferation, signaling, gene expression, and dysregulated metabolism of nutrients and hormones.In recent years, the microbiota of the gut and female reproductive tracts have been linked to many diseases, including gynecologic cancers. Numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that specific bacteria or microbial communities may contribute to the development of gynecologic cancers. Further, the microbiota may also impact the toxicity and efficacy of cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy in women with gynecologic malignancies. The microbiota is highly dynamic and may be altered through various mechanisms, including diet, exercise, medications, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This review provides an overview of the current literature detailing the relationship between gynecologic cancers and the microbiota of the female reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, focusing on mechanisms of carcinogenesis and strategies for modulating the microbiota for cancer prevention and treatment. Advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between the microbiota and gynecologic cancer will provide a novel approach for prevention and therapeutic modulation in the future.

Association of Clinical Trial Participation With Improved Overall Survival for Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether clinical trial participation is associated with overall survival in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS: An IRB-approved, retrospective, single-institution cohort study was performed in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2017. Platinum resistance was defined as progression within 6 months after completion of platinum chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1) clinical trial participants for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or 2) standard of care. The association of trial participation with overall survival from the date of platinum resistance was assessed with univariate and multivariable models. RESULTS: Of 305 eligible patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, 46 (15.1%) were clinical trial participants. There were no significant differences in age (61.2 years vs 63.3 years, P =.21), body mass index (27.5 vs 27.6, P =.90), race ( P =.61), medical comorbidities ( P >.05), or performance status ( P =.07) for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. The majority underwent primary cytoreduction (76.1% vs 69.1%, P =.34) with no differences in residual disease ( P =.43) for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. There was no difference in poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor (21.7% vs 15.1%, P =.26) or bevacizumab (22.2% vs 32.1%, P =.31) use for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. On multivariable analysis controlling for comorbidities, stage, and germline mutational status, clinical trial participation was associated with significantly improved overall survival from the date of platinum resistance compared with standard of care (13.8 months vs 10.5 months, adjusted hazard ratio 1.46, 95% CI 1.04-2.05, P =.028). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective cohort of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, clinical trial participation was associated with improved overall survival compared with standard of care therapies. Availability and participation in clinical trials should be prioritized in patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Analysis of patient experiences with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia reported on Instagram social media.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore patient-reported content on Instagram social media posts focused on gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional search of public Instagram posts containing the term #gestationaltrophoblasticneoplasia from 1/1/2019-12/31/2019 was performed. This study included only patient-centered posts written in the English language posts. Investigators collected data for timing relative to diagnosis, subject matter, content, and tone. We utilized a staged approach to analyzing social media post content through familiarization, identifying the thematic framework, indexing, summarizing, and interpreting data. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In total, of 326 extracted posts from 1/1/2019-12/31/2019, 291 (89.3%) met the criteria for study inclusion. The majority of content was posted during chemotherapy (n = 142, 48.8%) or in the surveillance period (n = 121, 41.6%) after completion of treatment. Qualitative analysis identified ten major themes: cancer therapy and side effects (n = 142, 48.8%), pregnancy loss (n = 59, 20.3%), labs and imaging (n = 60, 20.6%), acknowledgement of a support person (n = 37, 12.7%), infertility (n = 32, 11.0%), hardships of parenting during cancer (n = 21, 7.2%), religion/spirituality (n = 18, 6.2%), diagnosis (n = 12, 4.1%) fear of recurrence (n = 10, 3.4%) and surgery (n = 7, 2.4%). Further, of the posts focused on chemotherapy side effects, approximately one-half (n = 38, 46.3%) discussed hair loss, and fatigue was reported in 25.6% (n = 21) of posts. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study of Instagram posts using the hashtag #gestationaltrophoblasticneoplasia, we identify that women with GTN use Instagram posts to share experiences unique to their cancer diagnosis, including chemotherapy side effects, including hair loss, infertility, labs and imaging, and the hardships of parenting during cancer. This analysis provides important information regarding patient values and experiences following a diagnosis of GTN.

Incidence and prognostic significance of inguinal lymph node metastasis in women with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE(S): To assess incidence and oncologic outcomes in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with inguinal lymph node metastasis (ILNM) at diagnosis. METHODS: An IRB-approved, retrospective single-institution cohort study was performed in women with stage III/IV EOC from 2009 to 2017. Patients with inguinal lymphadenopathy (defined as >1 cm in short axis) clinically or radiographically were identified. The impact of ILNM on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 562 women with advanced EOC, 18 (3.2%) had ILNM at diagnosis, accounting for 25.7% of all patients with stage IVB disease (n = 70). Five patients (27.7%) had a known genetic predisposition for EOC, including BRCA1 (11.1%, n = 2), BRCA2 (11.1%, n = 2) and BRIP1 (5.6%, n = 1). The majority of patients underwent optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS), including debulking of inguinal nodal metastasis (83.3%, n = 15), with 50% (n = 9) having no gross residual disease after surgery. There was no difference in PFS (19.9 vs. 19.9 vs. 17.2 months, p = 0.84) or OS (137.2 vs. 52.9 vs. 67.6 months, p = 0.29) in women with stage III/IV with ILNM, stage III/IV without ILNM, and stage IVB disease without ILNM, respectively. Progression-free survival was improved in women with ILNM who underwent an optimal resection to no macroscopic disease vs. non-optimal resection (27.4 vs. 14.3 months, p = 0.019). Median overall survival at the time of analysis did not reach statistical significance (137.2 vs. 57.3 months, p = 0.24). CONCLUSION(S): In this retrospective cohort study, 3.2% of women with advanced EOC presented with ILNM at diagnosis. Although ILNM did not portend worse clinical outcomes compared to all Stage III/IV and Stage IVB patients, respectively, resection to no gross residual disease was associated with improved PFS.

Modified frailty index predicts postoperative complications in women with gynecologic cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE(S): To evaluate the impact of frailty on postoperative complications following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in women with advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer. METHODS: An IRB-approved single-institution prospective registry was queried for women who underwent CRS with HIPEC for advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer from 1/1/2014-12/31/2020. Frailty was defined as a modified Frailty Index (mFI) score of ≥2. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of mFI upon the rate of moderate or higher (≥ grade 2) Accordion postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of 141 women, 81.6% (n = 115) were non-frail with mFI of 0-1 and 18.4% (n = 26) were frail with mFI ≥2. The incidence of ≥ grade 2 complications was 21.2% (n = 14) for mFI = 0, 26.5% (n = 13) for mFI = 1, 64.7% (n = 11) for mFI = 2 and 100.0% (n = 9) for patients with mFI ≥3. The incidence of re-operation (1.7% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.044), ICU admission (13.2% vs. 34.6%, p = 0.018), acute kidney injury (6.3% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.001), and respiratory failure (0.9% vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001) were significantly lower amongst non-frail vs. frail women. On multivariable analysis, mFI ≥2 was associated with significantly increased ≥ grade 2 complications versus mFI of 0-1 (OR 9.4, 95% CI 3.3, 26.4, p < 0.001). Age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00, 1.09, p = 0.07), surgical indication (recurrent vs. primary) (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.30, 1.7, p = 0.44) and Surgical Complexity Score of Intermediate or High vs. Low (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.67, 3.5, p = 0.31) were not associated with ≥grade 2 complications. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty, defined by the modified frailty index, is predictive of ≥grade 2 postoperative complications following CRS with HIPEC in women with gynecologic cancer. Frailty screening before CRS with HIPEC may assist patient selection and improve postoperative outcomes.

Meta-analysis of Laparoendoscopic Single-site and Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Hysterectomy Compared with Multiport Hysterectomy: Real Benefits or Diminishing Returns?

OBJECTIVE: Because minimally invasive hysterectomy has become increasingly performed by gynecologic surgeons, strategies to further improve outcomes have emerged, including innovations in surgical approach. We sought to evaluate the intraoperative and perioperative outcomes and success rates of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) and vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) hysterectomy in comparison with those of conventional multiport laparoscopic (MPL) hysterectomy. DATA SOURCES: A librarian-led search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed for case-control, retrospective cohort, and randomized controlled trials through May 2020. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: The inclusion criterion was publications comparing LESS or vNOTES hysterectomy with conventional MPL hysterectomy for the management of benign or malignant gynecologic disease. Four authors reviewed the abstracts and selected studies for full-text review. The manuscripts were reviewed, separately, by 2 authors for final inclusion and assessment of bias using either the risk-of-bias assessment tool or the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Any disagreement was resolved by discussion with, or arbitration by, a third reviewer. The titles of 2259 articles were screened, and 108 articles were chosen for abstract screening. Full-text screening resulted in 29 studies eligible for inclusion. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Extracted data were placed into REDCap (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN), and MPL hysterectomy was compared with single-port hysterectomy using meta-analysis models. The outcomes included estimated blood loss (EBL); operative (OP) time; transfusion; length of hospital stay (LOS); conversion to laparotomy; visual analog scale pain scores at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours; any complications; and 7 subcategories of complications. Random-effects models were built for continuous outcomes and binary outcomes, and the results are reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) or odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals, respectively. Meta-analysis could not be performed for vNOTES vs MPL, given that only 3 studies met the eligibility criteria. When LESS and MPL were compared, there was a shorter OP time for MPL (SMD = -0.2577, p <.001) and lower rate of transfusion (OR = 0.1697, p <.001), without a significant difference in EBL (SMD = -0.0243, p = .689). There was a nonsignificant trend toward higher risk of conversion to laparotomy in the MPL group (OR = 2.5871, p = .078). Pain scores were no different 12 or 24 hours postoperatively but were significantly higher at 48 hours postoperatively (SMD = 0.1861, p = .035) in the MPL group. There were no differences in overall or individual complications between the LESS and MPL groups. In the vNOTES comparison, 2 studies demonstrated shorter OP times, with reduced LOS and no difference in complications. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, we identified that LESS hysterectomy has comparable and low overall rates of complications and conversion to laparotomy compared with MPL. Notably, the OP time seems longer, and the pain scores at 48 hours may be lower with LESS hysterectomy than with MPL hysterectomy. Limited data suggest that vNOTES hysterectomy may have shorter OP times and improved EBL, transfusion rates, LOS, and pain scores compared with MPL hysterectomy, but further study is needed. There remains a deficit in high-quality data to understand the differences in cosmesis among these surgical approaches. The quality of data for this analysis seems to be low to moderate.

Clinical management of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disease of reproductive age women that is commonly characterized by symptoms that often negatively impact quality of life. The clinical management of endometriosis remains highly variable and mostly influenced by geographic location, practice patterns, and breadth of clinician experience. This variability in treatment has inspired a trend towards multidisciplinary and specialized care of patients suffering from this disease. Surgical sampling, followed by histologic confirmation of endometrial-like tissue, remains the standard for the definitive diagnosis of endometriosis. However, the high sensitivity and specificity of MRI and ultrasound has shed light on the path towards non-surgical diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Molecular variability and intricacy of this disease has limited the development of biologic markers to target for non-invasive diagnosis and pharmacologic therapies. Surgical management of advanced-stage endometriosis can be difficult, mostly secondary to the invasive nature of the disease, and anatomical distortion requiring advanced surgical skills to manage. The high prevalence of chronic pelvic pain and other complex pain syndromes in patients with endometriosis also requires knowledge in the management of these types of issues in order to provide comprehensive care. Menopausal endometriosis, extrapelvic presentation, and potential malignant transformation of lesions are infrequent, requiring a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis and treatment.