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Objectives: To assess the long-term oncological safety of laparoscopic fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in borderline ovarian tumors and the impact of laparoscopic surgical factors on recurrences. Primary outcomes were the recurrence rate and time to recurrence after laparoscopic FSS. Secondary outcomes were to evaluate the recurrence rate after a second laparoscopic surgery and to assess factors associated with the risk of relapse. Methods: This is a retrospective single-center observational study in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital. Thirty-four patients diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumors who underwent laparoscopic FSS were recruited. Patients were categorized into two groups: the adnexectomy group, including patients who underwent unilateral adnexectomy, and the cystectomy group, which included patients who underwent unilateral cystectomy, bilateral cystectomy, and unilateral adnexectomy with contralateral cystectomy. Results: Eleven relapses (32.3%) were observed during a median follow-up period of 116.1 [62.5–185.4] months. The recurrence rate was similar for patients who underwent cystectomy (6/19, 31.6%) and adnexectomy (5/15, 33.3%). Cystectomy led to a shorter time to first recurrence (36-month progression-free survival rates of 66% vs. 85%) and higher rates of capsular rupture (71.4% vs. 20%, p = 0.04) compared to adnexectomy. No deaths due to progression of disease were reported. Conclusions: Laparoscopic FSS for borderline ovarian tumors is a safe, long-term oncological option. Although the recurrence rate was similar in patients undergoing adnexectomy or cystectomy, the time to recurrence was shorter in cases treated with cystectomy. Further research is needed to identify eventual laparoscopic risk factors more strongly correlated with recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare oncological outcomes and morbidity in patients with early-stage vulvar cancer with negative sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy vs negative inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL).Material and Methods: Study with retrospectively collected data in patients with squamous cell vulvar carcinomas ≤ 4 cm without suspected inguinofemoral lymph node metastases. Only patients with negative nodes after histopathology procedure were followed. Patients who underwent only SLN were compared with patients who underwent IFL ± SLN to compare recurrences, survival rates and morbidity.Results: Ninety-three patients were eligible for follow up: 42 with negative SLN and 51 with negative IFL ± SLN. The median follow-up period was 60.4 months (range 6.7-160.7). The rate of isolated first groin recurrence was 4.8% in patients with negative SLN and 2.0% in patients with negative IFL ± SLN (P = 0.587) and the rates of first isolated local recurrence were 28.6% and 31.4%, respectively (P = 0.823). Only 1 patient (2.4%) in the group of negative SLN had distant recurrence. The disease-specific survival rate at 5 years was 83.3% in the negative SLN group and 92.2% in the negative IFL ± SLN group (P = 0.214). We observed a higher rate of wound breakdown and infection after IFL than SLN biopsy (17.6% vs 10.6%; P = 0.020) and lymphedema (33.3% vs 0%; P < 0.001).Conclusions: We report in the same population of patients with early-stage vulvar cancer that SLN biopsy does not have significantly higher rates of groin recurrences or lower survival rates compared with IFL. Moreover, the SLN procedure has less morbidity, which should encourage gynecologists to abandon IFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sistematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy is part of the staging surgery for early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer, with no therapeutic value. The Mapping Sentinel Lymph Nodes In Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer (MELISA) trial prospectively assessed the SLN detection rate and the diagnostic accuracy of the SLN mapping technique in patients with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. This prospective, single-arm study included patients diagnosed with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (FIGO stages I and II), via either primary surgery or re-staging surgery. SLN mapping was performed by injecting 0.2 mL of 37-mBq 99mTc-nanocoloid albumin and 2 mL of 2.5 mg/mL indocyanine green into the infundibulopelvic and utero-ovarian ligaments. After removal of SLNs, a complete systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed. SLN Ultrastaging analysis was applied. The primary outcome was the overall SLN detection rate, either with one or both tracers. Secondary outcomes were the diagnostic accuracy of detecting lymph node metastases and factors that may influence SLN detection. Thirty patients were included. SLNs were identified in 27 patients (90%). Detection rates in primary and re-staging surgery were 89% and 92%, respectively. Para-aortic drainage was the predominant lymphatic spread, observed in 26 of 27 patients. Ultrastaging pathologic reports listed 1 SLN with macrometastasis, 1 with micrometastasis, and 5 with isolated tumor cells; the sensitivity of SLN mapping was 100%, with a false-negative rate of 0%. Univariate analysis showed a nonsignificant higher proportion of patients with uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometriosis (100%, 67%, 67%, respectively) in patients in whom SLNs were not detected. SLN mapping has a high detection rate (90%) and is an accurate technique for detecting lymph node involvement in early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. SLN mapping is a potential alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy to reduce associated morbidity, but further research is needed to evaluate the impact of SLN mapping on oncologic outcomes and its cost-effectiveness. • SLN mapping with ICG and 99mTc tracers has a 90% detection rate and 100% negative predictive value in early ovarian cancer. • Para-aortic drainage represents the primary lymphatic spread of ovarian cancer. • Ultrastaging accurately shows low-volume metastasis, helping to manage early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Based on their etiological relationship with human papillomavirus (HPV), the 2020 WHO classification has divided vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (VSCC) into two distinct types, HPV‐associated and HPV‐independent, and HPV‐independent tumours have recently been divided according to p53 status. Nevertheless, the clinical and prognostic significance of this classification has not been clearly established. We analysed the differential clinical, pathological, and behavioural characteristics of these three types of VSCC in a large series of patients. Methods and results: VSCC samples from patients who underwent primary surgery at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain, during a 47‐year period (January 1975 to January 2022) were analysed (n = 190). HPV detection, p16, and p53 immunohistochemical staining were evaluated. We also analysed recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS). Thirty‐three tumours (17.4%) were HPV‐associated and 157 (82.6%) HPV‐independent. Of these, 20 showed normal and 137 abnormal p53 expression. The two types of HPV‐independent tumours showed worse RFS in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.63; P = 0.023 for the HPV‐independent p53 normal VSCC and HR = 2.78; P = 0.028 for the HPV‐independent p53 abnormal VSCC). Although the differences were not significant, HPV‐independent VSCC had worse DSS than HPV‐associated VSCC. Although patients with HPV‐independent p53 normal tumours had worse RFS than patients with HPV‐independent p53 abnormal tumours, the DSS was better for the former group. Only advanced FIGO stage was associated with worse DSS in multivariate analysis (HR = 2.83; P = 0.010). Conclusion: The association of HPV and p53 status have prognostic implications, reinforcing a three‐tier molecular classification of VSCC (HPV‐associated VSCC, HPV‐independent VSCC with normal p53, HPV‐independent VSCC with abnormal p53). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : Accurate assessment of disease extent is required to select the best primary treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Estimation of tumour burden is challenging and it is usually performed by means of a surgical procedure. Imaging techniques and tumour markers can help to estimate tumour burden non-invasively. 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT allows the evaluation of the whole-body disease. This study aimed to correlate HE4 and CA125 serum concentrations with tumour burden evaluated by volumetric 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT parameters in advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: We included 66 patients who underwent 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT and serum tumour markers determination before primary treatment. Volumes of interest were delimited in every pathological uptake. Whole-body metabolic tumour volume (wb_MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (wb_TLG) were calculated summing up every VOI's MTV value. SUVmax thresholds were set at 40% (MTV40 and TLG40) and 50% (MTV50 and TLG50). In addition, four VOI subgroups were defined: peritoneal carcinomatosis, retroperitoneal nodes, supradiaphragmatic nodes, and distant metastases. MTV and TLG were calculated for each group by adding up the corresponding MTV values. TLG was calculated likewise. Results: wb_MTV and wb_TLG were found to be significantly correlated with serum CA125 and HE4 concentrations. The strongest correlation was observed between HE4 and wb_MTV40 (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficients between peritoneal carcinomatosis MTV40 and tumour markers were 0.61 (p < 0.0001) and 0.29 (p = 0.02) for HE4 and CA125 respectively. None of these tumour markers showed a positive correlation with tumour load outside the abdominal cavity assessed by volumetric parameters. Conclusion: HE4 performs better than CA125 to predict metabolic tumour burden in high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer before primary treatment. 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT volumetric parameters arise as feasible tools for the objective assessment of tumour load and its anatomical distribution. These results support the usefulness of HE4 and PET/CT to improve the stratification of these patients in clinical practice. Key Points: • In patients with high-grade advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma, both CA125 and HE4 correlate to whole-body tumour burden assessed by PET/CT before primary treatment. • HE4 estimates peritoneal disease much better than CA125. • PET/CT volumetric parameters arise as feasible tools for the objective assessment of tumour load and its anatomical distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping with transvaginal ultrasound-guided myometrial injection of radiotracer (TUMIR) to detect lymph node (LN) metastases, in patients with intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer (EC), focusing on its performance to detect paraaortic involvement. Methods: Prospective study including women with preoperative intermediate or high-risk EC, according to ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO consensus, who underwent SLN mapping using the TUMIR approach. SLNs were preoperatively localized by planar and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images, and intraoperatively by gamma-probe. Immediately after SLN excision, all women underwent systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy by laparoscopy. Results: The study included 102 patients. The intraoperative SLN detection rate was 79.4% (81/102). Pelvic and paraaortic drainage was observed in 92.6% (75/81) and 45.7% (37/81) women, respectively, being exclusively paraaortic in 7.4% (6/81). After systematic lymphadenectomy, LN metastases were identified in 19.6% (20/102) patients, with 45.0% (9/20) showing paraaortic involvement, which was exclusive in 15.0% (3/20). The overall sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of SLNs by the TUMIR approach to detect lymphatic involvement were 87.5% and 97.0%, respectively; and 83.3% and 96.9%, for paraaortic metastases. After applying the MSKCC SLN mapping algorithm, the sensitivity and NPV were 93.8% and 98.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The TUMIR method provides valuable information of endometrial drainage in patients at higher risk of paraaortic LN involvement. The TUMIR approach showed a detection rate of paraaortic SLNs greater than 45% and a high sensitivity and NPV for paraaortic metastases in women with intermediate and high-risk EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Over 10% of women who undergo conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) show no lesion in the surgical specimen. We aimed to determine whether these patients can be identified before conization using clinical, virological and/or cyto-histological characteristics, to avoid unnecessary treatment. Methods: Of 687 women with CIN treated by conization in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona between 2008 and 2011, all patients (n =110, 16%) showing no lesion in the surgical specimen were included as the study group. The control group included a series of randomly selected women with CIN in the cone specimen (n =220). Pre-conization clinical characteristics as well as high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) status determined by Hybrid Capture 2 were analyzed as possible predictors of absence of lesion. Results: A negative pre-conization hr-HPV test or a low viral load (<10 relative light units) significantly increased the probability of absence of CIN in the conization specimen (75.0%, and 52% respectively) compared with patients with a high viral load (26.7%, p <0.001). This association was confirmed in the multivariate analysis (p <0.001). The risk of developing persistent/recurrent disease after treatment was significantly lower in patients with negative hr-HPV test or a low viral load (16.1% CIN1, 0% CIN2–3), than in patients with a high viral load (27.6% CIN1, 4.1% CIN2–3, p =0.031). Conclusion: Women with negative pre-conization hr-HPV test results or a low viral load have a high probability of having no lesion in the conization specimen. These patients should be excluded from immediate surgical excision and considered for follow-up. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to determine the feasibility, safety and performance of a new method for sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in endometrial cancer (EC) using transvaginal ultrasound-guided myometrial injection of radiotracer (TUMIR). Methods: From 2006 to 2011, 74 patients with high-risk EC were included in the study. Twenty-four hours before surgery 148MBq of 99mTc-nanocolloid (8mL) was injected into two spots in the anterior and posterior myometrium using an ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture. SLN was localized preoperatively by lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperatively with gamma probe. After SLN biopsy the patients underwent a complete laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Results: The TUMIR method was successfully achieved in 67/74 patients (90.5%). SLN was identified in 55 women (74.3%). No adverse effects were observed. Pelvic drainage was observed in 87.2% of women and paraaortic SLN was identified in 45.4%, with 12.8% of the patients draining only in this area. The mean number of SLN retrieved was 2.8 per patient (range 1 to 9). Metastatic disease was found in 13 (23.6%) patients. Metastatic involvement of the paraaortic lymph nodes was observed in 4 (30.7%) cases. All were identified by TUMIR. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of SLN detected by TUMIR to detect metastasis were 92.3% (95% CI 22.9–100) and 97.7% (95% CI 82.0–100), respectively. Conclusions: TUMIR is a safe, feasible method to detect SLN in patients with EC, has a good detection rate and provides representative information of the lymphatic drainage of EC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Less than 5% of women with cervical or vaginal biopsy proven high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HG-SIL) show a negative Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) result. We analyzed 1) human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes by PCR in order to determine whether these cases represent infections by common or unusual types, and 2) the clinical, colposcopic and pathological differential characteristics of these patients. Methods: 646 women with a histological diagnosis of HG-SIL and a HC2 test collected within 6months prior to the diagnosis were identified. Patients with a negative HC2 result were selected. HPV was typed in the biopsy specimen in all by PCR using SPF10 and GP5+/6+ primers, and p16INK4a immunostaining was performed. The clinical and colposcopy findings of these women were compared with a control group of HG-SIL with positive HC2 result. Results: 20 women (3.1%) with HG-SIL had a negative HC2. All biopsies were positive for p16INK4. PCR analysis detected HPV types included in HC2 test in 55% of the cases, with an identical percentage of common viruses between women with relative light unit values above or below 0.40 (p=.361). False negative HC2 tests increased with age (p=.002) and were more frequent in patients with non satisfactory colposcopy or small sized lesions (p<.001). Conclusion: A negative HC2 test is an infrequent event in women with HG-SIL. Common HPV types are identified in over half of the cases. Older women and patients with small lesions or non satisfactory colposcopy have a higher rate of HC2 negative results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Two independent pathways in the development of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) have been described, one related to and the other independent of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the HPV status has a prognostic significance or can predict response to radiotherapy. Methods: All VSCC diagnosed from 1995 to 2009 were retrospectively evaluated (n =98). HPV infection was detected by amplification of HPV DNA by PCR using SPF-10 primers and typed by the INNO-LIPA HPV research assay. p16INK4a expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Disease-free and overall survival (DFS and OS) were estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis with the log-rank test and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard''s model. Results: HR-HPV DNA was detected in 19.4% of patients. HPV16 was the most prevalent genotype (73.7% of cases). p16INK4a stained 100% HPV-positive and 1.3% HPV-negative tumors (p <.001). No differences were found between HPV-positive and -negative tumors in terms of either DFS (39.8% vs. 49.8% at 5years; p =.831), or OS (67.2% vs. 71.4% at 5years; p =.791). No differences in survival were observed between HPV-positive and -negative patients requiring radiotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] .45 to 2.41). FIGO stages III–IV (p =.002), lymph node metastasis (p =.030), size≥20mm (p =.023), invasion depth (p =.020) and ulceration (p =.032) were associated with increased mortality but in multivariated only lymph node metastasis retained the association (HR 13.28, 95% CI 1.19 to 148.61). Conclusions: HPV-positive and -negative VSCCs have a similar prognosis. Radiotherapy does not increase survival in HPV-positive women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: To assess the participation rate and results of cytological assessment in the context of cervical cancer screening activities in an area of Barcelona (Spain) with a large immigrant population. Methods: Descriptive retrospective study of cytologies performed between 2001 and 2006 in women ≥14 years of age living in 2 out of 10 districts of Barcelona (n = 129 327) and participating in cervical cancer screening activities within a sexual and reproductive health care programme. Results: Between 2001 and 2006, overall participation among women aged 20- to 64-years old was 50.7%, with higher participation among women aged 20–34 years than among those aged 50–64 years (63.8 and 36.0%, respectively; P < 0.01). The median frequency was 0.5 cytologies/year. The rate of pathological results increased from 11.4‰ in 2001 to 29.0‰ in 2006 (P < 0.001). This increase was higher among younger women and was mainly due to an increase in the rate of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (L-SIL). Conclusions: These results show a low rate of participation in the public cervical cancer screening programme and an increase in the number of pathological results during the study period. These results provide useful information at a time when significant changes in the prevention of cervical cancer are being planned. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

(1) OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of CA125, HE4, ROMA index and CPH-I index to preoperatively identify epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or metastatic cancer in the ovary (MCO). (2) METHODS: single center retrospective study, including women with a diagnosis of adnexal mass. We obtained the AUC, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were of HE4, CA125, ROMA and CPH-I for the diagnosis of EOC and MCO. Subgroup analysis for women harboring adnexal masses with inconclusive diagnosis of malignancy by ultrasound features and Stage I EOC was performed. (3) RESULTS: 1071 patients were included, 852 (79.6%) presented benign/borderline tumors and 219 (20.4%) presented EOC/MCO. AUC for HE4 was higher than for CA125 (0.91 vs. 0.87). No differences were seen between AUC of ROMA and CPH-I, but they were both higher than HE4 AUC. None of the tumor markers alone achieved a sensitivity of 90%; HE4 was highly specific (93.5%). ROMA showed a sensitivity and specificity of 91.1% and 84.6% respectively, while CPH-I showed a sensitivity of 91.1% with 79.2% specificity. For patients with inconclusive diagnosis of malignancy by ultrasound features and with Stage I EOC, ROMA showed the best diagnostic performance (4) CONCLUSIONS: ROMA and CPH-I perform better than tumor markers alone to identify patients harboring EOC or MCO. They can be helpful to assess the risk of malignancy of adnexal masses, especially in cases where ultrasonographic diagnosis is challenging (stage I EOC, inconclusive diagnosis of malignancy by ultrasound features). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inguinal lymphadenectomy, unilateral or bilateral, is widely used in cases of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma but has a high morbidity. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy may be used in the management of these patients. The aims of this study were firstly to determine the reliability of SLN biopsy in predicting regional lymph node status and secondly to apply this technique in the routine clinical setting. We prospectively studied 70 women with vulvar malignancies. The first 50 cases were of squamous vulvar cancer and were used to validate the SLN technique in this clinical setting (validation group). Once a satisfactory success rate had been achieved in the validation group, the SLN technique was applied to a further 20 patients with vulvar malignancies, i.e. squamous cell carcinoma ( n=12) and melanomas ( n=8) (application group). Dynamic and static images were acquired after the injection of 74–148 MBq of a colloidal albumin, and continued until SLN identification. Fifteen minutes before surgery, blue dye injection was administered in a similar manner to the radiocolloid. After incision, a hand-held gamma probe was used to find the SLN. In the validation group, dissection of the SLN was always followed by lymphadenectomy. In the application group, this procedure was only performed if the SLN was positive for metastases. For pathological staging, samples were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry. In the validation group, lymphoscintigraphy allowed SLN detection in 49/50 patients (98%). Blue dye detected the SLN in 40/50 patients (80%). In 16 patients (33%), the SLN showed metastases in the pathology study. All 33 patients with negative SLN had regional lymph nodes negative for metastases (negative predictive value 100%). In the application group, lymphoscintigraphy showed drainage to an SLN in 19 out of 20 patients (95%) and blue dye demonstrated a stained SLN in 17/20 patients (85%). Seven of the 19 SLN-identified nodes (37%) were positive for metastases. SLN identification permits the accurate pathological study of regional nodes and could reduce the high morbidity of current surgical treatment in vulvar tumour patients if the technique were to be adopted on a routine clinical basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Some recently published studies in early-stage cervical cancer patients have shown that minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including laparoscopic and robotic approaches, might offer lower survival rates than classic open surgery. We evaluated the oncological results of a series of patients treated by laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH), an infrequently used MIS technique. We included 115 patients with early-stage cervical cancer (IA1 with lymphovascular invasion, IA2, IB1, and IIA < 2 cm; International Federation of Gynecology (FIGO), 2008). The 3- and 4.5-year disease-free survival rates were 96.7% and 93.5%, respectively, and the overall survival was 97.8% and 94.8%, respectively. These survival data are comparable with those reported with the open radical hysterectomy but presented the advantages of MIS. LARVH offers excellent disease control in women with early-stage cervical cancer and can be considered as an adequate MIS alternative to open radical hysterectomy. Background: Recent evidence indicates that some minimally invasive surgery approaches, such as laparoscopic and robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy, offer lower survival rates to patients with early-stage cervical cancer than open radical hysterectomy. We evaluated the oncological results of a different minimally invasive surgery approach, that of laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH) in this setting. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2018, patients with early-stage cervical cancer were treated by LARVH. Colpotomy and initial closure of the vagina were performed following the Schauta operation, avoiding manipulation of the tumor. Laparoscopic sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was performed in all cases. Women treated between 2001 and 2011 also underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy. Results: There were 115 patients included. Intraoperative complications occurred in nine patients (7.8%). After a median follow-up of 87.8 months (range 1–216), seven women (6%) presented recurrence. Four women died (mortality rate 3.4%). The 3- and 4.5-year disease-free survival rates were 96.7% and 93.5%, respectively, and the overall survival was 97.8% and 94.8%, respectively. Conclusion: LARVH offers excellent disease-free and overall survival in women with early-stage cervical cancer and can be considered as an adequate minimally invasive surgery alternative to open radical hysterectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]