Feasibility study on the use of single-port laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis and tumor sampling in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer - Case series of three cases.

INTRODUCTION: In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC), it is often difficult to achieve optimal surgery at primary debulking surgery (PDS) due to intra-abdominal dissemination and/or metastasis. When it is determined that optimal surgery is not possible, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is performed prior to subsequent debulking surgery. Also, a histological diagnosis of the tumor is very important before initiation of NAC. Laparoscopic surgery is thus useful to objectively diagnose whether an optimal primary debulking surgery is feasible and to obtain tumor biopsy samples. In order to minimize the invasive procedures at initial surgery, we performed laparoscopic surgery using a single-port method. CASE PRESENTATION: Three patients were diagnosed as stage IV ovarian cancer based on imaging and physical examination. Single-port laparoscopic surgery was performed. The intraabdominal findings were evaluated in all patients by predictive index scoring and objectively diagnosed as not ideal candidates for optimal surgery at PDS. Our use of single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) allowed for safe surgical outcomes and sufficient tissue sampling for histological diagnosis. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic surgery is not appropriate for tumor reduction surgery in AEOC; however, its use as an alternative method to laparotomy is recommended for tumor tissue biopsy and/or intraperitoneal observation. Previous studies have reported on the use of conventional multi-port laparoscopic surgery. The single-port method, when compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery, is less invasive with only one abdominal wound at the umbilicus. CONCLUSION: SPLS is feasible and clinically useful for diagnosis and tumor sampling in AEOC.

Single-port laparoscopic surgery for parasitic cystic teratoma of the greater omentum and bilateral ovarian teratomas: a case report.

Teratomas of extragonadal origin are extremely rare. The most common extragonadal site is the greater omentum. A 36-year-old woman was referred to our department for treatment of bilateral ovarian tumors. A 3- to 4-cm mass was observed in each ovary; bilateral ovarian mature cystic teratoma was diagnosed through imaging studies. The patient underwent single-port laparoscopic surgery, during which we found not only bilateral ovarian mature cystic teratomas but also an omental tumor macroscopically similar to the ovarian teratomas. The ovarian and omental teratomas were successfully removed through single-port laparoscopic surgery. The histopathological diagnosis of the omental tumor was parasitic mature cystic teratoma.

Ramelteon, a selective MT1/MT2 receptor agonist, suppresses the proliferation and invasiveness of endometrial cancer cells.

The incidence of endometrial cancer is increasing, making it the fifth most common cancer worldwide. To date, however, there is no standard therapy for patients with recurrent endometrial cancer. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in various tumor types. Although melatonin is available as a supplement, it has not been approved for cancer treatment. Ramelteon, a selective melatonin receptor type 1 and 2 (MT1/MT2) receptor agonist, has been approved to treat sleep disorders, suggesting that ramelteon may be effective in the treatment of endometrial cancer. To determine whether this agent may be effective in the treatment of endometrial cancer, this study investigated the ability of ramelteon to suppress the proliferation and invasiveness of HHUA cells, an estrogen receptor-positive endometrial cancer cell line. Ramelteon at 10-8 M maximally suppressed the proliferation of HHUA cells, reducing the percentage of Ki-67 positive proliferating cells. This effect was completely blocked by luzindole, a MT1/MT2 receptor antagonist. Furthermore, ramelteon inhibited HHUA cell invasion and reduced the expression of the MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggested that ramelteon may be a candidate for the treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer, with activity similar to that of melatonin.

Endometriotic cyst fluid induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human immortalized epithelial cells derived from ovarian endometrioma.

OBJECTIVES: Endometriotic cyst fluid (ECF) contains a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and endometriotic cysts are exposed to strong oxidative stress, which may cause malignant transformation. In this study, ROS production by ECF was clinically analysed. METHODS: Human immortalized epithelial cells derived from ovarian endometrioma (EMosis-CC/TERT 1) were treated with ECF. In addition, ROS production in EMosis-CC/TERT 1 was measured, and its clinical significance was analysed. RESULTS: A total of 38 ECF samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with endometriotic cysts. In EMosis-CC/TERT1, significantly higher levels of ROS were induced by ECF than by the vehicle control and ferric nitrilotriacetate. There were no significant differences in ROS production by laterality and preoperative serum CA125 values. There were several patients whose cyst sizes were approximately 5 cm and had relatively high ROS production. Production of ROS by ECF was relatively higher in patients older than 40 years of age than in those younger than 40. DISCUSSION: Our study revealed that ROS are highly produced by ECF in EMosis-CC/TERT1 cells; therefore, exposure to ECF induced strong oxidative stress. Development of a therapeutic strategy to reduce ROS production might be useful for preventing malignant transformation of endometriotic cysts.