Is serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) assay a satisfactory measure for ovarian reserve estimation? A comparison of serum and peritoneal fluid AMH levels.

BACKGROUND: Clinical cases have been reported with women who got pregnant with confirmed low serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, thus demonstrating that low serum AMH concentration cut-points could be fairly specific for poor ovarian response (POR) to gonadotrophin stimulation, but not for pregnancy. That observation prompted the question whether serum AMH concentration accurately corresponded to the whole amount of AMH secreted by granulosa cells. OBJECTIVES: To measure AMH levels in peritoneal fluid and their correlations with serum AMH concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reported study involved 48 female patients, aged 18-40 years, diagnosed with benign ovarian cysts and qualified for a laparoscopic cystectomy. Prior to surgery, the ovarian reserve was assessed using serum AMH concentration assay. The peritoneal fluid was also collected during the laparoscopy and AMH concentrations in peritoneal fluid were measured. RESULTS: The AMH present in the peritoneal fluid strongly correlated with AMH levels in blood serum (r = 0.54; p < 0.001) and higher serum AMH concentrations corresponded to higher AMH concentrations in the peritoneal fluid. There was also a significant correlation between AMH levels in serum and in peritoneal fluid, collected from patients with endometrioma and other benign cysts (r = 0.61; p = 0.001 vs r = 0.43; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The AMH is present in the peritoneal fluid and its concentrations significantly correlate with AMH levels in serum. The assessment of AMH concentration in the peritoneal fluid may be a valuable complement to the evaluation of ovarian reserve and the diagnosis of infertility after adnexal surgery.

Anti-Müllerian hormone as a marker of abortion in the first trimester of spontaneous pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as a marker of early abortion in the first trimester among women younger than 35 years. METHODS: Prospective study of women aged 18-34 years with a spontaneous pregnancy at less than 12.6 gestational weeks in Lódz, Poland, between January 2017 and November 2018. Cases of anembryonic abortion and assisted conception were excluded. Blood samples were collected and assayed for serum AMH levels. Data were compared between women with an embryo with no cardiac activity by ultrasound (n=30) and those with a normal embryo (n=33) by using Statistica12 software. RESULTS: The 10th and 90th percentiles of serum AMH concentration among control women were used to identify a reference AMH range (1.1-4.5 ng/mL). Risk of pregnancy loss in the first trimester was found to be higher for both low AMH (<1.1 ng/mL; relative risk [RR], 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-6.4; P<0.001) and high AMH (>4.5 ng/mL; RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.61-5.59; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both very low and very high AMH concentrations were found to significantly increase the risk of abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Serum AMH might be a valuable marker to predict the risk of early abortion.

Retrospective analysis of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of simple ovarian cysts.

BACKGROUND: The widespread availability of ultrasonography means that transvaginal ultrasonography has become a routine procedure during gynecological examinations, even in asymptomatic patients. Nowadays the imaging technology offered by ultrasonography and tumor biomarkers give us an opportunity to implement transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration as a less radical treatment of simple ovarian cysts (SOC). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was a retrospective evaluation of the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of SOC in postmenopausal and premenopausal patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 84 women, divided into a premenopausal group (38/84) and a postmenopausal group (46/84), underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of small SOC (40-80 mm in diameter). Simple cysts were defined ultrasonographically according to the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) guidelines as cysts with negative risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) scores and CA125 levels. Simple ovarian cyst-related data was obtained from medical documentation (diagnostic tests, medical reproductive and surgical history, and clinical status during SOC aspiration). Follow-up data was collected by means of a telephone interview and medical database. The survey included questions focused on cyst recurrence during the 24-month period following the aspiration of SOC. RESULTS: We had 100% compatibility with ultrasound diagnosis and cytological examination of aspirated fluid. The cumulative rate of cyst recurrence among 84 patients was 20.2% (17/84). There was a higher percentage of cyst recurrence in the premenopausal group: 27% (10/38) vs 15.2% (7/46) in the postmenopausal group, but the difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.89, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.72-4.97; p = 0.19). Recurrent cysts were treated with laparoscopic cystectomy, adnexectomy or a second aspiration in accordance with individual indications. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided aspiration of small (<80 mm) adnexal SOC is a diagnostic and alternative therapeutic procedure, which allows cytological examination and may reduce the need for surgery, which is especially beneficial for women of reproductive age.

One-year follow-up of ovarian reserve by three methods in women after laparoscopic cystectomy for endometrioma and benign ovarian cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term impact of laparoscopic cystectomy for endometriomas and benign cysts on ovarian reserve and selection of the most effective method of assessment. METHODS: The present study was carried out between November 2013 and December 2016. Participants were assigned to laparoscopic cystectomy for diagnosed unilateral benign ovarian cysts and divided into groups: the endometrioma group (EG) (n=35) and the other benign ovarian tumor group (OG) (n=35). Before and at 3 and 12 months after the procedure, transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to assess antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OvVol); laboratory tests were ordered for anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) serum concentration assays. Pregnancy rates were counted in a 12-month follow-up. Statistica12 software was used for analysis. RESULTS: The present study included 70 women aged 18-40 years. AMH serum concentration decreased significantly 3 months after laparoscopic cystectomy (4.89 ± 3.66 ng/mL to 3.45 ± 3.37 ng/mL; P<0.001). A greater decrease of AMH concentrations was observed in the EG (45.39% vs 14.87%; P=0.021). Twelve months of observation revealed a suppression in the drop of the AMH concentration, while AFC and OvVol remained unaffected. The likelihood of spontaneous pregnancy was three times higher in the OG (hazard ratio [HR] 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-12.5). CONCLUSION: There was a significant decline in AMH levels in the EG 3 months after cystectomy. No further fall in AMH concentration was observed in the 12-month follow-up. The serum AMH concentration could be considered a valuable marker for ovarian reserve assessment after laparoscopic cystectomy.

The significance of markers in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers experienced by women throughout the world. It is also the most common malignancy within the female reproductive system, representing 37.7% of all disorders. The incidence increases with age, and is diagnosed most frequently in women between 45 and 65 years old. In the last few years, numerous studies have been performed to identify tumour biomarkers. Biomarkers include not only protein routinely used as tumour markers but also genes and chromosomes. The limiting factor in the use of markers in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer is their lack of specificity. However, specific markers for endometrial cancer are the subject of much research attention. Although moderately elevated levels of markers are present in a number of inflammatory or non-malignant diseases, significantly increased levels of markers indicate the development of cancer. Recently, research has been focused on the identification of molecular changes leading to different histological subtypes of endometrial cancer. In this paper the authors reviewed several currently investigated markers. Progress in these investigations is very important in the diagnostics and treatment of endometrial cancer. In particular, the identification of novel mutations and molecular profiles should enhance our ability to personalise adjuvant treatment with genome-guided targeted therapy.

Women's fertility after laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrioma and other benign ovarian tumors - a 24-month follow-up retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The golden standard in treatment benign ovarian cysts is laparoscopic cystectomy, but it may also influence women's fertility. The aim of the study was to compare women's fertility after laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrioma versus other benign ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the 123 patients operated because of benign ovarian tumor (OT), 66 underwent laparoscopic cystectomy of endometrioma (endometrioma group) and 57 underwent laparoscopic cystectomy of other benign ovarian tumor like: functional cyst, hemorrhagic cyst, yellow body cyst or mature teratoma (reference group). OT-related data were obtained from medical documentation (diagnostic tests, medical reproductive and surgical history, clinical status during OT surgery). Follow-up data were collected by means of a telephone interview. The survey included questions focused on women's fertility during a 24-month period following the surgical treatment of OT (conception, subsequent pregnancies, recurrence of OT). RESULTS: A 24-month follow-up period revealed that the cumulative pregnancy rate was significantly higher in reference group (RG) as compared to endometrioma group (EG), i.e. 52.6% vs. 32.3%. Lower pregnancy risk was demonstrated in a EG group vs. other benign ovarian tumors, HR=0.57 (CI 0.33-0.99; p=0.049), log-rank test p=0.045. Benign OT returned in 19.3% vs. EG 36.3%, HR= 2.5 (CI 1.16-5.55 ; p=0.019) log-rank test: p=0.0136. The EG was divided on two subgroups: women with solitary endometrioma and women with endometrioma and coexistent peritoneal endometriosis. The study showed insignificantly lower risk of pregnancy in a group of advanced endometriosis vs. solitary endometrioma group (HR= 0.79 (CI 0.34-1.83; log-rank test p=0.57; pregnancy rate 29.3% vs. 40.0%). Statistically nonsignificant higher pregnancy rate occurred in a group of women with tumor ≤50mm in size among patients with benign ovarian tumor and solitary endometrioma vs. group of women with tumor >50mm (30% vs. 61%; p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: There is a low pregnancy rate after laparoscopic cystectomy of benign OT. Moreover, pregnancy rate after cystectomy of endometrioma is significantly lower and the percentage of reccurence of endometrioma is significantly higher. That is why, the decision about surgical treatment among childbearing women must be well-considered because of the risk of subsequent surgery in the future.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata of unusual course with malignant transformation: case report.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata is a very rare, benign entity of unknown pathogenesis, characterized by the presence of multiple subperitoneal or peritoneal smooth muscle nodules throughout the peritoneal surface. Mostly the course is asymptomatic and it is found incidentally during laparotomy, laparoscopy or cesarean section. Non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, abdominal mass or gastrointestinal signs are described. Rare cases of malignant transformation have been reported. We present a case of disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis with an unusual course and transformation to endometrial sarcoma in a 26-year-old previously healthy woman, where the appearance of peritoneal nodules was preceded by multiple incidents of fast fibroid growth and delivery of myomatous growth into the cervical canal.

The role of angiogenic factors in endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy within the female reproductive system (37.7%). The incidence increases with age. Frequently this type of cancer is diagnosed in peri- and post-menopausal women. 60-70% of cancers occur in women over 60 years of age, and less than 5% in women below 40 years of age. Angiogenesis is a process of formation of new microvessels from existing capillaries. There are four different mechanisms of new vessel growth: sprouting, intussusception, vessel elongation and incorporation of endothelial progenitor cells into new microvessels. Angiogenesis plays important roles in growth of endometrial cancers. This process is controlled by many angiogenic factors, for example vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is the most powerful and most specific endothelial cell growth factor. It plays a crucial role in the initiation of physiological and pathological angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vasculogenesis. The VEGF family consists of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-E, VEGF-F and PLGF (placental growth factor). The effects of VEGF are mediated through binding to the two specific and homologous receptors VEGFR-1 (FLT-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR). Placental growth factor (PLGF) belongs to the VEGF family and it is also a very important growth factor. So far four isoforms of PLGF have been identified: PLGF-1 (PLGF131), PLGF-2 (PLGF152), PLGF-3 (PLGF203) and PLGF-4 (PLGF224).

[Salpingotomy vs salpingectomy--a comparison of women's fertility after surgical treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy during a 24-month follow-up study]. / Salpingotomia vs salpingektomia--porównanie plodnosci kobiet po operacyjnym leczeniu jajowodowej ciazy ektopowej, 24-miesieczne badanie obserwacyjne.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is usually located in the Fallopian tube and it has a significant adverse effect on womens fertility Three types of EP treatment include: expectant, medical, and surgical radical (salpingectomy) or conservative (salpingotomy) management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare women's fertility after surgical radical or conservative treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the 58 patients operated because of tubal EP pregnancy 22 underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy (group 1) and 36 laparoscopic salpingectomy (group 2). EP-related data were obtained from medical documentation (the symptoms, diagnostic tests, EP risk factors, medical reproductive and surgical history clinical status during EP surgery). Follow-up data were collected by means of a telephone interview. The survey included questions focused on women's fertility during a 24-month period following the surgical treatment of EP (conception, subsequent intrauterine pregnancies and ectopic pregnancy). RESULTS: A 24-month follow-up period revealed that the cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate was higher in group 1 (salpingotomy) as compared to group 2 (salpingectomy), i.e. 50% vs. 41.5%, respectively. Tubal EP returned in 13.6% cases (group 1) vs. 19.4% (group 2). All submitted results are statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with the literature which reports a trend of higher odds for intrauterine pregnancy after salpingotomy for surgical treatment of EP as compared to salpingectomy Moreover the risk for recurrent tubal EP is comparable for both methods. Regardless, the decision about the operating range in case of EP always depends on the actual clinical state of the patient.