Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze and draw the potential differences between the robotic-assisted surgery (RS) and the laparoscopy (LPS) in endometrial cancer staging. Methods: In this single-institution retrospective study we enrolled 1,221 consecutive clinical stage I–III endometrial cancer patients undergone minimally invasive surgical staging. We compared patients treated by LPS and by RS, on the basis of perioperative and oncological outcomes (disease-free survival [DFS] and overall survival [OS]). A sub-analysis of the highrisk endometrial cancer population was performed in the 2 cohorts. Results: The 2 cohorts (766 treated by LPS and 455 by RS) were homogeneous in terms of perioperative and pathological data. We recorded differences in number of relapse/ progression (11.7% in LPS vs. 7% in RS, p=0.008) and in number of deaths (9.8% in LPS vs. 4.8% in RS, p=0.002). Whereas, univariate and multivariate analyses according to DFS and OS confirmed that the surgical approach did not influence the DFS or the OS. In the multivariable analysis the association of the age and grading was significant for DFS and OS. In the sub-analysis of the 426 high risk EC patients (280 in LPS and 146 in RS) the univariate and the multivariate confirmed the influence of the age in DFS and OS, independently of the minimally invasive approach. Conclusions In our large retrospective analysis, we confirmed that the RS and LPS have similar efficacy and safety for endometrial cancer staging also for the high-risk endometrial cancer patients.

223Ra-dichloride is a bone-seeking targeted alpha (α)-emitting approved for bone metastases in prostate cancer. Here, we report a case of therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukemia (t-APL) following administration of 223Ra, showing some evidence of a causative relationship. A patient with metastatic prostate cancer received therapy with 223Ra, with 6 injections of the radiopharmaceutical at a standard dose of 55 kBq/kg at 4-week intervals for a cumulative administered activity of 26.3 MBq. PET/CT with 18F-methylcholine repeated 1 month after the conclusion of 223Ra was negative. After 8 months, he developed pancytopenia and we made a diagnosis of therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukemia (t-APL). We then studied the genomic locations of the breakpoints in the PML and RARA genes, which were at nucleotide positions 1708-09 of PML intron 3, respectively, outside the previously reported Topo II-associated hotspot region. t-APL was cured with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide. The type of PML/RARA rearrangement we identified, in absence of other myelotoxic treatments, is suggestive of a possible direct causal relationship with exposure to 223Ra and warrants further investigations.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has correlated with the disruption of screening activities and diagnostic assessments. Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies and it is often detected at an early stage, because it frequently produces symptoms. Here, we aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on patterns of presentation and treatment of EC patients. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 54 centers in Italy. We evaluated patterns of presentation and treatment of EC patients before (period 1: March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) and during (period 2: April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak. Results: Medical records of 5,164 EC patients have been retrieved: 2,718 and 2,446 women treated in period 1 and period 2, respectively. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment in both periods (p=0.356). Nodal assessment was omitted in 689 (27.3%) and 484 (21.2%) patients treated in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). While, the prevalence of patients undergoing sentinel node mapping (with or without backup lymphadenectomy) has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (46.7% in period 1 vs. 52.8% in period 2; p<0.001). Overall, 1,280 (50.4%) and 1,021 (44.7%) patients had no adjuvant therapy in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). Adjuvant therapy use has increased during COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusion Our data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the characteristics and patterns of care of EC patients. These findings highlight the need to implement healthcare services during the pandemic.