Transperineal endoscopic approach with GelPOINT V-path in laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for postirradiated recurrent cervical cancer.

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a highly invasive procedure associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Laparoscopy is a promising option to reduce this invasiveness, and laparoscopic PE significantly reduces blood loss and shortens hospital stays. In the case of a large tumor with invasion to the surrounding organs, laparoscopic dissection around the pelvic floor is sometimes problematic owing to restrictions on handling instruments. To overcome these limitations, we performed a transperineal endoscopic approach using the GelPOINT V-path in addition to laparoscopic PE. This approach enabled dissection around the pelvic floor without the abovementioned obstacles under magnified visualization. As a result, we could dissect the pelvic floor precisely with a reduction of the dead pelvic space, which might contribute to reduced rates of postoperative complications while ensuring oncologic outcomes.

Impact of the coverage of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy by the national insurance system for women with BRCA pathogenic variants in Japan.

To determine the impact of the coverage of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and mastectomy (RRM) as well as genetic testing for BRCA pathogenic variants by the national insurance system in Japan. We compared the clinical background of women who underwent RRSO at our institution before and after its coverage by the national insurance system. Those who underwent RRSO between January 2017 and December 2019 and between April 2020 and March 2022 were classified as Period. A and B, respectively. Overall, 134 women underwent RRSO during the study period. In Period A and B, 45 and 89 women underwent RRSO for the study period was 36 and 24 months, respectively. Compared with Period A, the number of women who underwent RRSO per month increased by threefold in Period B (p < 0.01). In addition, the number of women who underwent surgery for breast cancer along with RRSO increased in Period B (p < 0.01). Although the number of women who underwent concurrent RRM with RRSO in Period B increased, the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with Period A, the number of women diagnosed with BRCA pathogenic variant increased by 3.9-fold, and the proportion of women who underwent concurrent hysterectomy at the time of RRSO decreased from 66 to 7.9% in Period B (p < 0.01). Owing to the introduction of the national insurance system, the number of women who underwent RRSO and concurrent surgery for breast cancer at the time of RRSO increased in Japan.

Impact on prognosis of unexpected uterine sarcoma with scalpel morcellation or enucleation.

Objective: It is well known that power morcellation of unexpected uterine sarcoma affects prognosis. There are few reports on the effects of scalpel morcellation or myomectomy of uterine sarcoma on prognosis, which is not well understood. This study investigated the effect on recurrence and prognosis when tumors of uterine sarcoma undergo scalpel morcellation or myomectomy. Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational study by collecting data from the medical records of patients who were histologically diagnosed with uterine sarcoma at our hospital between 2005 and 2017. All patients with unexpected uterine sarcoma were diagnosed after laparoscopic hysterectomy with scalpel morcellation or myomectomy (abdominal and laparoscopic) for presumed myoma. We evaluated recurrence rate, recurrence site, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 15 patients were examined in this study. Twelve patients underwent myomectomy (7 patients with open surgery, 5 patients with laparoscopic surgery), and 3 patients underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy with transvaginal scalpel morcellation. There were 11 cases of recurrence, and the recurrence rate was 78 %. The recurrence site was peritoneal dissemination in 10 cases (91 %) and lymph node metastasis in 1 case (9 %). The median PFS was 32 months [95 % confidence interval (CI) = 6.5-NA], and the median OS was 95.5 months [95 % CI = 55.8-NA]. Conclusion: Power morcellation, scalpel morcellation, and myomectomy may affect recurrence and prognosis. Further studies are needed in the future.

Clinical Management of Atypical Endometrial Cells of Undetermined Significance Followed by Negative Cytology.

INTRODUCTION: In Japan, endometrial cytology is widely performed to evaluate the status of the endometrium in women with suspected endometrial cancer. A new classification system for endometrial cytology has recently been used: the Yokohama system, based on a descriptive reporting format. This study aimed to clarify the triage for patients with atypical endometrial cells of undetermined significance (ATEC-US) when followed by negative endometrial cytology. METHODS: We enrolled patients diagnosed with ATEC-US at the Cancer Institute Hospital between January 2016 and December 2017, based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) ATEC-US diagnosed by office endometrial cytology, with or without office endometrial biopsy; (2) follow-up endometrial cytology was performed 3-6 months after initial sampling, with a negative result for malignancy; and (3) no prior history of conservative treatment with progestin for endometrial cancer or atypical endometrial hyperplasia (ATEC-A). Among eligible patients, we analyzed those later diagnosed by endometrial biopsy with ATEC-A or carcinoma. RESULTS: Among 187 patients, 65 met the inclusion criteria. Forty-two patients (64.6%) were observed for more than 24 months. Two patients (3.1%) developed ATEC-A during a median observation time of 26.5 months; the times to diagnosis were 32 months and 22 months. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: No patient developed ATEC-A or worse within 1 year. For patients with ATEC-US, if negative cytology is obtained at the next examination, a close follow-up is not necessary.

Prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with positive peritoneal cytology in stage IA endometrial cancer.

This study evaluated the influence of positive peritoneal cytology (PPC) on the prognosis of patients with stage IA endometrial cancer, and the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy in their treatment. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with stage IA endometrial cancer admitted in our hospital between 2005 and 2015. Among 989 patients who underwent peritoneal cytology, 135 (13.7%) had PPC. Multivariate analysis extracted several independent risk factors for recurrence in stage IA patients, including those with PPC. Adjuvant chemotherapy did not cause a significant difference in the 5-year relapse-free survival rate in patients with PPC (p = 0.78). Similarly, the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate with or without chemotherapy was not different among type II cancer patients (p = 0.11). However, the baseline risk of 5-year relapse-free survival without chemotherapy in patients with PPC and type II was very low (66.7%). While PPC was an independent risk factor for recurrence in stage IA endometrial cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy did not influence the survival rate in patients with PPC. While it is controversial whether adjuvant chemotherapy should be administered in stage IA uterine cancer with only PPC as a prognostic factor, it should be considered for early-stage patients who have multiple risk factors for recurrence.

Feasibility and Outcomes of "No-Look No-Touch" Laparoscopic Radical Trachelectomy for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer.

Intraoperative tumor manipulation and dissemination may compromise the survival of women with early-stage cervical cancer who undergo laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to examine survival and obstetrical outcomes related to laparoscopic radical trachelectomy (LRT) with a "no-look no-touch" technique in 40 women. This technique incorporates five measures to prevent tumor spillage and damage to the uterine artery perfusion. Five LRTs were aborted because of positive nodes or positive surgical margins. Compared with those of type III laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, the surgical outcomes of LRT in 35 patients were acceptable: operative time (380 min), estimated blood loss (140 mL), length of hospital stay (15 days), and lengths of excised parametrium and vagina. During follow-up (median, 41.3 months), the 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 95.0% (95% CI: 69.5-99.3%) and 100%, respectively. Of the nine patients (26%) who attempted pregnancy, seven conceived (nine pregnancies, 76%). Eight were delivered by term cesarean section, while one was miscarried in the first trimester. Our study suggests that the no-look no-touch technique may be effective in reducing the risk of recurrence and improving obstetrical outcomes during LRT for early-stage cervical cancer.

Positive surgical margin is an independent predictor of overall survival of patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

AIM: It is uncertain whether curative surgical treatment or a less radical surgery with adjuvant treatment should be provided to preserve function in patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that is adjacent to the urethra, anus, and vagina. The aim of this study was to investigate the surgical margin in patients with vulvar SCC with regard to local recurrence and overall survival. METHODS: Thirty-four patients were identified as having a diagnosis of vulvar SCC without distant metastasis. They had been treated surgically with curative intent at the Cancer Institute Hospital. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Rates of 5-year local recurrence-free survival among patients with positive, <3-mm, <5-mm, <8-mm, and ≥8-mm surgical margins were 32%, 30.3%, 42.5%, 55.5%, and 73%, respectively. Rates of 5-year overall survival of patients with positive, <3-mm, <5-mm, <8-mm, and ≥8-mm surgical margins were 15.5%, 53.8%, 58.8%, 67.6%, and 83.3%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, a tumor size of more than 2-cm (hazard ratio [HR] = 17.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39-226) and a positive surgical margin (HR = 0.0092, 95% CI = 0.011-0.53) were risk factors for local recurrence, and a lymph node involvement (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 0.31-6.43) and a positive surgical margin (HR = 0.0046, 95% CI = 0.011-0.53) were significant risk factors for overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the prognosis, thorough resection with an adequate surgical margin is needed. But narrow surgical margin may be acceptable, particularly to preserve the function of adjacent organs.

Clinical and pathological outcomes of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy for Japanese women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: To clarify the clinical as well as pathological outcomes in Japanese women with germline pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants who underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). METHODS: This prospective study examined the rate of occult cancer and primary peritoneal cancer after RRSO at our institution in the period from 2011 to 2020. Clinical records of genetically confirmed patients with germline pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants who desired to undergo RRSO were reviewed. Specimens obtained during RRSO were pathologically diagnosed as per SEE-FIM protocol. All the participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) about 1 month preoperatively. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen women underwent RRSO during this period. Of these, the numbers of women with germline pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants were 72 and 45, respectively. The mean observational time after RRSO was 35.8 months. Despite negative preoperative screening results, three (2.6%) serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma and three (2.6%) invasive carcinomas were identified. Of the three invasive carcinomas cases, two were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I primary fallopian tube cancer, and the third case was double cancer (ovarian cancer and fallopian tube cancer) with FIGO stage IC3. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of occult neoplasms was similar to those reported by studies performed in other countries. Although women with occult cancer were diagnosed with FIGO stage I, the MRI performed 1 month preoperatively did not show any such malignant findings. Thus, RRSO is the only promising method that can improve the prognosis in women with germline pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants.

Early oral feeding is safe and useful after rectosigmoid resection with anastomosis during cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and clinical usefulness of early oral feeding (EOF) after rectosigmoid resection with anastomosis for the treatment of primary ovarian cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who had undergone rectosigmoid resection with anastomosis for primary ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer between April 2012 and March 2019 in a single institution. Patient-related, disease-related, and surgery-related data including the incidence of anastomotic leakage and postoperative hospital stay were collected. EOF was introduced as a postoperative oral feeding protocol in September 2016. Before the introduction of EOF, conventional oral feeding (COF) had been used. RESULTS: Two hundred and one patients who underwent rectosigmoid resection with anastomosis, comprised of 95 patients in the COF group and 106 patients in the EOF group, were included in this study. The median number of postoperative days until the start of diet intake was 5 (range 2-8) in the COF group and 2 (range 2-8) in the EOF group (P < 0.001). Postoperative morbidity was equivalent between the groups. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was similar (1%) in both groups. The median length of the postoperative hospital stay was reduced by 6 days for the EOF group: 17 (range 9-67) days for the COF group versus 11 (8-49) days for the EOF group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: EOF provides a significant reduction in the length of the postoperative hospital stay without an increased complication risk after rectosigmoid resection with anastomosis as a part of cytoreductive surgery for primary ovarian cancer.

A retrospective study of internal small bowel herniation following pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecologic carcinomas.

After pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA), pelvic vessels, nerve, and ureter are skeletonized. Internal hernias beneath the skeletonized pelvic structure following pelvic lymphadenectomy (IBSPP) are a rare complication following PLA. To the best of our knowledge, only 12 IBSPP cases have been reported and clinical details on such hernias remain unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the incident and etiology of IBSPP. 1313 patients who underwent open or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy were identified from our database. A retrospective review was performed. Mean follow-up period was 33.9 months. A total of 12 patients had IBSPP. Multivariate analysis of laparoscopic surgeries group as compared to open surgeries group, para-aortic lymphadenectomy rate, number of dissected lymph nodes by PLA, antiadhesive material use rate, and blood loss were lower in laparoscopic surgeries group: odd ratio (OR) = 0.13 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-0.19], and OR = 0.70 [95% CI 0.50-0.99], OR = 0.17 [95% CI 0.10-0.28], OR = 0.93 [95% CI 0.92-0.94]. However, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of IBSPP between laparoscopic surgery (1.0%) and open surgery (0.8%). All IBSPP occurred in the right pelvic space. These findings may contribute to the development of prevention methods for this disease.

Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration and laterally extended endopelvic resection for postradiation recurrent cervical carcinoma: Technical feasibility and short-term oncologic outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the only treatment for cervical cancer recurrence in a previously irradiated field. Pelvic exenteration (PE) and laterally extended endopelvic resection (LEER) are indicated for select patients; however, morbidity and mortality rates remain high, and new treatment modalities are required. Laparoscopy optimizes visualization and allows meticulous dissection while also reducing intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications without worsening the outcomes. We aimed to clarify the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic PE and LEER for previously irradiated recurrent cervical cancer. METHODS: We prospectively investigated the outcomes of laparoscopic PE and LEER in 28 patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma after radiotherapy. RESULTS: Seventeen laparoscopic PEs for central recurrences and 11 laparoscopic LEERs for lateral recurrences were performed. The median operation time and blood loss were 454mins and 285 mL in the PE group, and 562mins and 325 mL in the LEER group, respectively, with no conversions to laparotomy. R0 resection was achieved in all patients in the PE group and 73% in the LEER group. The morbidity and mortality rates were 41% and 0% in PE group, and 55% and 0% in LEER group, respectively. The 2-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 68.9% and 76% in the PE group, and 27.3% and 29.6% in the LEER group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic PE is feasible for previously irradiated central recurrent cervical cancer and has acceptable outcomes. Laparoscopic LEER is also feasible for lateral recurrence, but oncologic outcome may be modest in this limited preliminary study. Further studies using a larger sample size with a longer follow-up period is warranted to determine the indications for laparoscopic LEER.

Continuous Administration of Bevacizumab After Disease Progression in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chemotherapy with additional bevacizumab is the standard treatment for primary and recurrent ovarian cancer. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility and safety of bevacizumab when used in combination with chemotherapy after disease progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective, observational study recruited patients treated for recurrent ovarian cancer from 2014 to 2016. We evaluated the effects of bevacizumab with chemotherapy in patients whose disease had progressed following treatment with bevacizumab. We assessed progression-free survival and adverse events. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients received post-progression treatment with bevacizumab. The median progression-free survival was 8.7 months (95% confidence interval=5.5-11). The progression-free survival was compared pre- and post-progression treatment, and was longer in platinum-resistant than platinum-sensitive cases after treatment (p=0.06). The most common non-hematological toxicity was proteinuria. The incidence of serious adverse events was low. CONCLUSION: Continuous administration of bevacizumab may be beneficial for ovarian cancer patients after disease progression.

Minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic surgery for an intra-abdominal desmoid tumor: A case report.

•Intra-abdominal desmoid tumor is rare with no particular imaging features, so preoperative diagnosis is quite difficult.•R0 resection is essential for treatment but often requires extensive surgical trauma, which can be a risk for recurrence.•A laparoscopic approach for this tumor was effective, with the resulting diagnosis and resection being less traumatic.•The first report of successful laparoscopic complete resection and reconstructive procedures were demonstrated.

Surgical outcomes of early-stage primary vaginal nonsquamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Definitive radiation therapy (RT), using external beam RT and/or brachytherapy, is a standard treatment option for primary vaginal carcinoma. However, this treatment has poor prognosis when applied to vaginal nonsquamous cell carcinoma (non-SCC). We aimed to clarify treatment outcome and surgical safety in early-stage primary vaginal non-SCC. METHODS: After receiving approval from the institutional review board, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and pathological samples of patients treated at our hospital between 1991 and 2018. Among 49 patients with primary vaginal carcinoma, 12 with histologically confirmed early-stage primary vaginal non-SCC were included in this study. RESULTS: In total, 40% of patients with primary vaginal carcinoma treated at our hospital had primary vaginal non-SCC. The average observation time was 34 months (median 53.3 months). Three patients had local recurrence: 2 in pelvic lymph nodes and 1 in the vagina. Furthermore, 2 patients died of their disease. Five-year local control rate of stage I and stage II non-SCC was 75% and 100%, respectively. Disease-specific survival rate of stage I and stage II non-SCC was 81.8% and 100%, respectively. No major morbidity was observed. Three patients required allogeneic blood transfusion, whereas 1 underwent autotransfusion. None of the 12 patients were discharged with self-catheterization. CONCLUSION: Five-year local control and disease-specific survival rates of patients surgically treated for vaginal non-SCC were favorable. Therefore, surgery could be a safe and reasonable option for early-stage primary vaginal non-SCC.

Feasibility and outcome of total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with no-look no-touch technique for FIGO IB1 cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative tumor manipulation and dissemination may possibly compromise survival of women with early-stage cervical cancer who undergo minimally-invasive radical hysterectomy (RH). The objective of the study was to examine survival related to minimally-invasive RH with a "no-look no-touch" technique for clinical stage IB1 cervical cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study compared patients who underwent total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH) with no-look no-touch technique (n=80) to those who underwent an abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH; n=83) for stage IB1 (≤4 cm) cervical cancer. TLRH with no-look no-touch technique incorporates 4 specific measures to prevent tumor spillage: 1) creation of a vaginal cuff, 2) avoidance of a uterine manipulator, 3) minimal handling of the uterine cervix, and 4) bagging of the specimen. RESULTS: Surgical outcomes of TLRH were significantly superior to ARH for operative time (294 vs. 376 minutes), estimated blood loss (185 vs. 500 mL), and length of hospital stay (14 vs. 18 days) (all, p<0.001). Oncologic outcomes were similar between the 2 groups, including disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.591) and overall survival (p=0.188). When stratified by tumor size (<2 vs. ≥2 cm), DFS was similar between the 2 groups (p=0.897 and p=0.602, respectively). The loco-regional recurrence rate following TLRH was similar to the rate after ARH (6.3% vs. 9.6%, p=0.566). Multiple-pelvic recurrence was observed in only 1 patient in the TLRH group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the no-look no-touch technique may be a useful surgical procedure to reduce recurrence risk via preventing intraoperative tumor spillage during TLRH for early-stage cervical cancer.

Laparoscopic Anterior Pelvic Exenteration with Super Radical Parametrectomy for a Recurrent Low-Grade Endometrial Sarcoma That is Resistant to Hormone Therapy and Chemotherapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show total laparoscopic complete resection of a recurrent low-grade endometrial sarcoma. DESIGN: Step-by-step demonstration of the technique of laparoscopic anterior pelvic exenteration with super radical parametrectomy, including the explanation of detailed pelvic anatomy (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS) is a rare malignancy that makes up around 0.2% of all uterine malignancies [1]. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a standard treatment; however, the recurrence risk is quite high [2]. For a recurrent LGESS that is resistant to hormone therapy and chemotherapy, complete resection with negative surgical margins (R0 resection) can be the most promising method [3]. PATIENT: The patient had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy because of a LGESS. Almost 20 years later, a recurrent LGESS was detected at the vaginal stump, and the patient underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. These treatments were inefficacious, and the recurrent tumor progressed. An abdominal computed tomographic scan revealed that the recurrent tumor occupied the vaginal stump, involved the bladder and the left ureter, and extended to the left pelvic sidewall. INTERVENTIONS: Anterior pelvic exenteration with super radical parametrectomy was performed laparoscopically with no blood transfusion. R0 resection could be achieved without any intraoperative and postoperative complications. Without any adjuvant treatment, there has been no sign of recurrence during the 12 months that have passed since the surgery. This video obtained institutional review board approval through our local ethics committee in the Cancer Institutional Hospital (institutional review board number 2016-1007). CONCLUSION: The good visualization and meticulous dissection provided during laparoscopic surgery can make the approach advantageous and may contribute to R0 achievement.

Clinical management of the status of atypical endometrial cells using the descriptive reporting format for endometrial cytology.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop and reinforce a clinical management regimen for atypical endometrial cell (ATEC) categories within the descriptive reporting format for endometrial cytology. METHODS: Between January 2013 and December 2014, 215 samples, for which histological examination was performed immediately or within 3 months after cytology, were cytologically diagnosed as ATEC. For these samples, the medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify risk factors for malignancy. RESULTS: Among 152 samples diagnosed as ATEC, of undetermined significance, 19 (12.5%) were malignant. In the younger group (age <55 years), the χ2 values of body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (5.85), gravidity (5.64) and parity (5.15) were relatively high, suggesting that these were risk factors for malignancy. Of the nulligravida patients, those with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 , 28% were diagnosed with malignant disease. In the older group (≥55 years), endometrial thickening (6.84), atypical genital bleeding (6.43) and BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (3.79) were found to be risk factors for malignancy. Of the patients with endometrial thickening and atypical genital bleeding, 67% were diagnosed with malignant disease. Among 63 samples diagnosed as ATEC, cannot exclude atypical endometrial hyperplasia or more, 35 (55.6%) samples were positive for malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk patients diagnosed with ATEC, of undetermined significance were identified. Endometrial biopsy should be considered for nulligravida patients aged <55 years with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 .

En Bloc Resection of an Aggressive Angiomyxoma by a Novel Combination Laparoscopic and Open Perineal Approach.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show a novel combination laparoscopic and open perineal approach to complete resection of aggressive angiomyxoma. DESIGN: Step-by-step video demonstration of the combination approach (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Combined laparoscopic and open perineal approach was performed in the tertiary center. PATIENT: A 46-year-old woman presented with an 8-cm vulvar mass, diagnosed as an aggressive angiomyxoma. The patient, who strongly desired to preserve her uterus and ovaries, provided informed consent for resection of the tumor by our combination approach, also approved by our Institutional Review Board. INTERVENTION: Combined laparoscopic and open perineal approach. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that occurs most often in the female pelviperineal region [1]. Aggressive angiomyxoma is locally infiltrative, and high postoperative local recurrence rates (36%-72%) due to incomplete resection have been reported [2]. Therefore, until recently, wide surgical excision with tumor-free margins have been the most commonly accepted treatment. However, aggressive angiomyxoma is a benign, slow-growing tumor, and because extensive surgical resection, which is associated with high operative morbidity rates, has not been shown to have a significant effect on prognosis, a more conservative procedure may be preferable [3]. The mass was located mainly at the left ischiorectal fossa, but it extended above the pelvic diaphragm and was attached to internal obturator muscle, vagina, bladder, urethra, and rectum. We excised the tumor completely and without complications by a combined laparoscopic and open perineal approach. Twelve months have passed since the surgery, and there has been no adjuvant treatment and no sign of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our combination approach to aggressive angiomyxoma in the pelviperineal region is technically feasible, and the good visualization and meticulous dissection provided during the laparoscopic portion of the surgery contribute to complete resection.

Maintenance hormonal therapy after treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate for patients with atypical polypoid adenomyoma.

BACKGROUND: As atypical polypoid adenomyoma (APA) has been reported to be a hormone-related tumor, we aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of maintenance hormonal therapy after fertility-preserving treatment of these patients with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). METHODS: Data were retrospectively analyzed from patients with APA who were treated with a fertility-preserving regimen including MPA between October 2001 and December 2011. Eighteen patients were treated with MPA and 14 (77.8%) achieved either a complete or a partial response after the planned treatment. Five patients took progestin for maintenance therapy. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were treated for a mean observation period of 96.7 months. While taking the maintenance therapy, no patient had APA relapse. One patient developed well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma 18 months after she stopped taking maintenance progestin. Eleven patients without maintenance therapy underwent hysterectomy, andnine of them developed well-differentiated endometrial cancer. Through univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in time to hysterectomy between patients with and without maintenance therapy (P = 0.015). Through multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI), menstrual status before protocol therapy, maintenance treatment, and pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with a lower risk of hysterectomy. No patient had a recurrence of APA after hysterectomy during the observation period (median, 54 months; range, 2-148 months). CONCLUSION: No patient showed progression while receiving hormonal therapy, including initial protocol therapy. Maintenance hormonal therapy after treatment with MPA was highly effective and safe, particularly in patients with BMI ≧24 kg/m2 and irregular menstruation cycle.

Efficacy of Transanal Drainage Tube Placement After Modified Posterior Pelvic Exenteration for Primary Ovarian Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of the placement of a transanal drainage tube (TDT) to prevent anastomotic leakage after a modified posterior pelvic exenteration (MPPE) for the treatment of primary ovarian cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all the consecutive patients who had undergone an MPPE for primary ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer between October 2012 and November 2016 at our institution. Patient-related, disease-related, and surgery-related data were collected. RESULTS: One hundred five patients who underwent an MPPE were included in this study. A TDT was placed in all the patients. A diverting ileostomy was created during cytoreductive surgery in 7 patients (7%). Those who underwent a diverting ileostomy tended to have a greater degree of surgical invasiveness, as was reflected by a longer operative time, a serious loss of blood, and a large quantity of intraoperative blood transfusion. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 1 patient (1%), and a diverting ileostomy was created for this patient. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal drainage tube placement seems to be an effective and safe procedure that can decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage and the need for a diverting stoma after MPPE for ovarian cancer. However, some patients inevitably require a diverting stoma despite the TDT placement.