OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning curve of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) for gynecologic oncologists who underwent residency- and fellowship-training on laparoscopic surgery without previous experience in performing abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 84 patients with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IB cervical cancer who underwent LRH (Piver type III) between April 2006 and March 2014. The patients were divided into two groups (surgeon A group, 42 patients; surgeon B group, 42 patients) according to the surgeon with or without ARH experience. Clinico-pathologic data were analyzed between the 2 groups. Operating times were analyzed using the cumulative sum technique. RESULTS: The operating time in surgeon A started at 5 to 10 standard deviations of mean operating time and afterward steeply decreased with operative experience (Pearson correlation coefficient=-0.508, P=0.001). Surgeon B, however, showed a gentle slope of learning curve within 2 standard deviations of mean operating time (Pearson correlation coefficient=-0.225, P=0.152). Approximately 18 cases for both surgeons were required to achieve surgical proficiency for LRH. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size (>4 cm) was significantly associated with increased operating time (P=0.027; odds ratio, 4.667; 95% confidence interval, 1.187 to 18.352). CONCLUSION: After completing the residency- and fellowship-training course on gynecologic laparoscopy, gynecologic oncologists, even without ARH experience, might reach an acceptable level of surgical proficiency in LRH after approximately 20 cases and showed a gentle slope of learning curve, taking less effort to initially perform LRH.
Gynecology ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Laparoscopy ; Learning Curve* ; Learning* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare benign disorder of unknown etiology characterized by proliferation of lymphoid tissues. Seventy percent of this tumor occurs in the mediastinum and it is seldom found in neck, pancreas or pelvis. We report a case of asymptomatic pelvic CD initially presenting as an adnexal tumor in a 27-year-old woman. Initial transvaginal sonography revealed 7-cm-sized hyperechoic mass adjacent to the right ovary and the following abdominal computed tomography scanning showed the same sized mass located on the right extraperitoneal pelvic cavity. Laparoscopic mass excision was performed without any complication and pathological diagnosis was made as CD. CD should be included in the differential diagnosis of female pelvic masses which are noted in the pelvic cavity. In this report, we review the clinicopathological findings in a presentation of CD.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia* ; Humans ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Mediastinum ; Neck ; Ovary ; Pancreas ; Pelvis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to validate the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) criteria for adjuvant treatment in a different cohort of patients and to evaluate the simplified risk criteria predicting the prognosis and tailoring adjuvant treatment in patients with surgically staged endometrial cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 261 consecutive patients with surgically staged endometrial cancer between January 2000 and February 2013. All patients had complete staging procedures and were surgically staged according to the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system. Clinical and pathologic data were obtained from medical records. We designed the simplified risk criteria for adjuvant treatment according to the risk factors associated with survival. The patients were divided into low and low-intermediate, high-intermediate, and high-risk groups according to the GOG criteria and simplified criteria and their survivals were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of both criteria. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 48 months (range, 10 to 122 months). According to the GOG criteria, we identified 197 low and low-intermediate risk patients, 20 high-intermediate risk patients, and 44 high-risk patients. There were significant differences in disease-free (p<0.001) and overall survival (p<0.001) among the three groups. Using the simplified risk criteria, we identified 189 low and low-intermediate risk patients, 28 high-intermediate risk patients, and 44 high-risk patients. There were significant differences in disease-free (p<0.001) and overall survival (p<0.001) among the three groups. The performance of the simplified criteria (area under the curve [AUC]=0.829 and 0.916 for disease recurrences and deaths, respectively) was as good as the GOG criteria (AUC=0.836 and 0.921 for disease recurrences and deaths, respectively). CONCLUSION: The simplified criteria may be easily applicable and offer useful information for planning strategy of adjuvant treatment in patients with surgically staged endometrial cancer as the GOG criteria.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology/surgery/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVE: Upper paraaortic lymph node dissection (UPALD) to the infrarenal level is one of the most challenging robotic procedures. Because robotic system has the limitation in robotic arm mobility. This surgical video introduces a novel robotic approach, lower pelvic port placement (LP3), to perform optimally and simultaneously both UPALD and pelvic procedures in gynecologic cancer patients using da Vinci Xi system. METHODS: The patient presented with high-grade endometrial cancer. She underwent robotic surgical staging operation. For the setup of the LP3, a line was drown between both anterior superior iliac spines. At 3 cm below this line, another line was drown and four robotic ports were placed on this line. RESULTS: After paraaortic lymph node dissection (PALD) was completed, the boom of robotic system was rotated 180° to retarget for the pelvic lateral displacement. Robotic ports were placed and docked again. The operation was completed robotically without any complication. CONCLUSION: The LP3 was feasible for performing simultaneously optimal PALD as well as procedures in pelvic cavity in gynecologic cancer patients. The advantage of LP3 technique is the robotic port placement that affords for multi-quadrant surgery, abdominal and pelvic dissection. The LP3 is facilitated by utilizing advanced technology of Xi system, including the patient clearance function, the rotating boom, and ‘port hopping’ that allows using every ports for a camera. The LP3 will enable surgeons to extend the surgical indication of robotic surgical system in the gynecologic oncologic field.
Arm ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Spine ; Surgeons

Colpotomy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Obstetrics ; Patient Selection ; Recurrence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Objective: To evaluate oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (RH) in early cervical cancer before and after the application of parametrial invasion (PMI) criterion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and vaginal colpotomy (VC). Methods: A total of 216 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB–IIA cervical cancer patients who underwent minimally invasive RH was identified between April 2006 and October 2018. Patients were classified into the pre-PMI intracorporeal or VC (IVC) (n=117) and post-PMI VC groups (n=99). In the pre-PMI IVC group, PMI criterion (intact stromal ring) on MRI was not applied and the patients received IVC. In the post-PMI VC group, surgical candidates were selected using the PMI criterion on MRI and all patients received VC only. Oncologic outcomes and prognostic factors associated with disease recurrence were analyzed. Results: The rate of positive vaginal cuff margins in the pre-PMI IVC group was higher than that in the post-PMI VC group (11.1% vs. 1.0%, p=0.003). Two-year disease-free survival was different between the 2 groups (84.5% in pre-PMI IVC vs. 98.0% in post-PMI VC groups, p=0.005). Disrupted stromal ring on MRI (hazard ratio [HR]=20.321; 95% confidence interval [CI]=4.903–84.218; p<0.001) and intracorporeal colpotomy (HR=3.059; 95% CI=1.176–7.958; p=0.022) were associated with recurrence. Conclusion The intact cervical stromal ring on MRI might identify the low-risk group of patients in terms of PMI and lymphovascular/stromal invasion in early cervical cancer. Minimally invasive RH should be performed in optimal candidates with an intact stromal ring on MRI, using VC.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for massive lymphatic ascites after laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer and the feasibility of treatments using intranodal lymphangiography (INLAG) with glue embolization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 234 patients with gynecologic cancer who received laparoscopic retroperitonal lymphadenectomy between April 2006 and November 2015 was done. In June 2014, INLAG with glue embolization was initiated to manage massive lymphatic ascites. All possible clinicopathologic factors related to massive lymphatic ascites were determined in the pre-INLAG group (n=163). Clinical courses between pre-INLAG group and post-INLAG group (n=71) were compared. RESULTS: In the pre-INLAG group (n=163), four patients (2.5%) developed massive lymphatic ascites postoperatively. Postoperative lymphatic ascites was associated with liver cirrhosis (three cirrhotic patients, p<0.001). In the post-INLAG group, one patient with massive lymphatic ascites had a congestive heart failure and first received INLAG with glue embolization. She had pelvic drain removed within 7 days after INLAG. The mean duration of pelvic drain and hospital stay decreased after the introduction of INLAG (13.2 days vs. 10.9 days, p=0.001; 15.2 days vs. 12.6 days, p=0.001). There was no evidence of recurrence after this procedure. CONCLUSION: Underlying medical conditions related to the reduced effective circulating volume, such as liver cirrhosis and heart failure, may be associated with massive lymphatic ascites after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. INLAG with glue embolization can be an alternative treatment options to treat leaking lymphatic channels in patients with massive lymphatic leakage.
Adult ; Aged ; Ascites/*etiology/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*methods ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/*surgery ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision/*adverse effects ; *Lymphography ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*etiology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for massive lymphatic ascites after laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer and the feasibility of treatments using intranodal lymphangiography (INLAG) with glue embolization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 234 patients with gynecologic cancer who received laparoscopic retroperitonal lymphadenectomy between April 2006 and November 2015 was done. In June 2014, INLAG with glue embolization was initiated to manage massive lymphatic ascites. All possible clinicopathologic factors related to massive lymphatic ascites were determined in the pre-INLAG group (n=163). Clinical courses between pre-INLAG group and post-INLAG group (n=71) were compared. RESULTS: In the pre-INLAG group (n=163), four patients (2.5%) developed massive lymphatic ascites postoperatively. Postoperative lymphatic ascites was associated with liver cirrhosis (three cirrhotic patients, p<0.001). In the post-INLAG group, one patient with massive lymphatic ascites had a congestive heart failure and first received INLAG with glue embolization. She had pelvic drain removed within 7 days after INLAG. The mean duration of pelvic drain and hospital stay decreased after the introduction of INLAG (13.2 days vs. 10.9 days, p=0.001; 15.2 days vs. 12.6 days, p=0.001). There was no evidence of recurrence after this procedure. CONCLUSION: Underlying medical conditions related to the reduced effective circulating volume, such as liver cirrhosis and heart failure, may be associated with massive lymphatic ascites after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. INLAG with glue embolization can be an alternative treatment options to treat leaking lymphatic channels in patients with massive lymphatic leakage.
Adult ; Aged ; Ascites/*etiology/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*methods ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/*surgery ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision/*adverse effects ; *Lymphography ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*etiology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis in early endometrial cancer patients and to evaluate preoperative clinicopathological factors predicting lymph node metastasis. METHODS: We identified 142 patients with endometrial cancer between January 2000 and February 2013. All patients demonstrated endometrioid adenocarcinoma with grade 1 or 2 on preoperative endometrial biopsy. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed that tumors were confined to the uterine corpus with superficial myometrial invasion (less than 50%), and there were no lymph nodes enlargements. All patients had complete staging procedures and were surgically staged according to the 2009 FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging system. Clinical and pathological data were obtained from medical records and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 142 patients, 127 patients (89.4%) presented with stage 1A, 8 (5.6%) with stage IB, 3 (2.1%) with stage II, and 4 (2.8%) with stage III disease. Three patients (2.1%) had lymph node metastasis-2 IIIC1 and 1 IIIC2 disease. Age, preoperative tumor grade, and myometrial invasion less than 50% on preoperative MRI were not associated with lymph node metastasis. A high preoperative serum CA-125 level (>35 IU/mL) was a statistically significant factor for predicting lymph node metastasis on univariate and multivariate analyses. Lymph node metastasis was only found in patients with preoperative grade 2 tumors or a high serum CA-125 level. CONCLUSION: Preoperative tumor grade and serum CA-125 level can predict lymph node metastasis in apparent early endometrial cancer patients.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. Although the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen is not yet defined, previous randomized trials have demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus cisplatin every 3 weeks and weekly cisplatin are the most popular regimens. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of weekly CCRT with cisplatin and monthly CCRT with 5-FU plus cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 255 patients with FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer. Patients were classified into two CCRT groups according to the concurrent chemotherapy: weekly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with weekly cisplatin for six cycles; and monthly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with cisplatin and 5-FU every 4 weeks for two cycles followed by additional consolidation chemotherapy for two cycles with the same regimen. RESULTS: Of 255 patients, 152 (59.6%) patients received weekly CCRT and 103 (40.4%) received monthly CCRT. The mean follow-up period was 39 months (range, 1 to 186 months). Planned CCRT was given to 130 (85.5%) patients in weekly CCRT group and 84 (81.6%) patients in monthly CCRT group, respectively. Severe adverse effects were more common in the monthly CCRT group than in the weekly CCRT group. There were no statistically significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival between the two groups (p=0.715 and p=0.237). CONCLUSION: Both weekly CCRT and monthly CCRT seem to have similar efficacy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, but the weekly cisplatin is better tolerated.
Cisplatin ; Consolidation Chemotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Fluorouracil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms