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OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 and 2018 staging systems in patients with uterine cervical cancer. METHODS Medical records of 571 patients who were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy between 2001 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates according to FIGO 2009 and FIGO 2018 staging systems were compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS The median follow-up was 59 months. Five-year OS and PFS rates were 81.1% and 77.7%, respectively. Stage migration was recorded in 401 patients (70.2%) and the most remarkable stage migration was detected in stage I patients (60%). A total of 157 (27.5%) patients upstaged to stage IIIC disease. According to FIGO 2009, 5-year OS rates were 87.3%, 80.5% (p=0.076), and PFS rates were 82.8%, 77.5% (p=0.036) for stage IB1 and IB2, respectively. According to FIGO 2018, the 5-year OS rates for stage IB1, IB2, and IB3 were 89.8%, 87.1%, and 81.4% (p=0.310), and PFS rates were 90.2%, 80.5%, and 80.1% (p=0.189), respectively. Patients with =2 pelvic lymph node (LN) metastases had worse 5-year OS and PFS rates than patients with one metastasis (p=0.015 and p=0.006). Number of para-aortic LN metastasis and metastatic LN ratio (MLNR) were also correlated with 5-year OS and PFS. CONCLUSION Current FIGO staging system better discriminates patients with cervical cancer. However, integration of metastatic LN number and/or MLNR to the upcoming FIGO staging system may improve the prognostic value of the staging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En bloc radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinofemoral lymph node dissection was the standard approach for patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer, regardless of disease extent in the past. This radical surgical approach was with high rates of morbidity and adverse psychological effects and led to insufficient locoregional control rates in patients with locally advanced-stage disease. In recent years, multimodal treatment approaches have been introduced to decrease treatment-related morbidity and increase the locoregional control rates. Radiotherapy (RT) has a major role in the treatment of vulvar cancer. It has been successfully used as an adjuvant approach in patients with high risk of local recurrence after surgery and as a sole local treatment with concomitant chemotherapy in locally advanced disease. In this current review, we will discuss the rationale of RT and provide up-to-date information about the role of RT in the treatment of vulvar cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To assess the validity and reliability of the EORTC-QLQ-HN35 in Turkish head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. METHODS EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN35 scales were completed by patients at the beginning, middle and end of radiotherapy. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Content validity was based on expert opinion and patient reviews. RESULTS Eighty patients were included in this study. Mean age was 59±10.7 years. Overall internal consistency was satisfactory (a=0.926). Overall test-retest reliability was satisfactory and ICCs ranged between 0.77 and 0.84. Correlations between corresponding domains of QLQ-C30 and HN35 showed satisfactory convergent validity (r=0.61 to r=0.73). Assessments based on expert opinions and patient reviews also favored the content validity of the scale. CONCLUSION The Turkish version of the QLQ-HN35 scale is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the health-related quality of life in patients with HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]