Cutaneous endometriosis: Presentation of 33 cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous endometriosis is a rare condition that usually affects the abdominal wall in women with a history of open abdominal surgery. It has a characteristic clinical picture of a mass and pain associated with menstruation. The diagnosis is difficult on being an uncommon and little known condition. Once there is suspicion, a correct anamnesis and examination is usually sufficient. The treatment is normally surgery. STUDY DESIGN: The study included all women identified with a diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis over a period of 20 years. The variables collected and analysed included, age, surgical history, gynaecology history, symptoms, time period between surgery and consultation, specialist consulted, location, size, tests performed, treatment, and recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 33 women were identified, with a mean age of 35.4 ±â€¯2.33 years. A surgical history was found in 31 (93%) of 33 women. The main symptom was abdominal mass (96%), followed by period pain (51%), and non-period pain (42%). The initial diagnosis was correct in 15 (45%) of 33 women, and after performing further tests it was correct in 23 (69%) of 33 women. The main additional test was fine needle aspiration (FNA) in 24 (72%) of 33 patients. Surgery was performed on 30 (90%) of 33 women, with 8 (24%) women requiring a prosthesis. There was a recurrence of cutaneous endometriosis in 3 (9%) women. CONCLUSION: Although it is a rare disease, its association with gynaecological surgery, and in particular caesarean section, means that there should be more awareness of this condition. Its diagnosis may be complicated due to lack of knowledge, when a proper examination and anamnesis can give us the key.

Trends in net survival from ovarian cancer in six European Latin countries: results from the SUDCAN population-based study.

European Latin countries have some similarities in their health systems. It is thus interesting to look at their differences in cancer survival (here, ovarian cancer) through monitoring of specific indicators of quality care. The aim of this SUDCAN collaborative study was to compare the trends in 1 and 5-year net survival from ovarian cancer and the trends in the excess mortality rates between six European Latin countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland). The data were extracted from the EUROCARE-5 database. First, the net survival was studied over the 2000-2004 period using the Pohar-Perme estimator. For trend analyses, the study period was specific to each country. The results are reported from 1992 to 2004 in France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, and from 2000 to 2004 in Belgium and Portugal. The analyses were carried out using a flexible excess rate modelling. Over the period 2000-2004, there were slight differences in the 5-year age-standardized net survivals from ovarian cancer; they ranged from 36% in Spain to 42% in Belgium. Net survival was much higher in young than in old age groups, but this difference was more marked in Spain and less marked in France. Between 1992 and 2004, the net survival increased in all countries, mainly in young and middle-aged women. However, the differences in 5-year net survival between these countries were larger in 2004 than in 1992. Slight differences were observed in survival from ovarian cancer between the six European Latin countries. A considerable improvement in survival was observed in all countries, especially in young and middle-aged women. This study highlights the need for further monitoring of ovarian cancer outcomes.