In 2014, 9 topics were selected as major advances in clinical research for gynecologic oncology: 2 each in cervical and corpus cancer, 4 in ovarian cancer, and 1 in breast cancer. For cervical cancer, several therapeutic agents showed viable antitumor clinical response in recurrent and metastatic disease: bevacizumab, cediranib, and immunotherapies including human papillomavirus (HPV)-tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and Z-100. The HPV test received FDA approval as the primary screening tool of cervical cancer in women aged 25 and older, based on the results of the ATHENA trial, which suggested that the HPV test was a more sensitive and efficient strategy for cervical cancer screening than methods based solely on cytology. For corpus cancers, results of a phase III Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 249 study of early-stage endometrial cancer with high-intermediate risk factors are followed by the controversial topic of uterine power morcellation in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Promising results of phase II studies regarding the effectiveness of olaparib in various ovarian cancer settings are summarized. After a brief review of results from a phase III study on pazopanib maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer, 2 outstanding 2014 ASCO presentations cover the topic of using molecular subtypes in predicting response to bevacizumab. A review of the use of opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy as an ovarian cancer preventive strategy in the general population is presented. Two remarkable studies that discussed the effectiveness of adjuvant ovarian suppression in premenopausal early breast cancer have been selected as the last topics covered in this review.
Biomedical Research/*trends ; Endometrial Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/surgery ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/diagnosis/*therapy ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/surgery ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic characteristics, prognostic factors, response to chemotherapy, chemotherapy-caused disease-free interval and overall survival of small cell carcinoma of uterine cervix (SCCUC).

METHODSTwelve patients with SCCUC were treated from 1995 to 1999, with their clinic ophathologic data retrospectively analyzed. Their stages were I b(1) 2, I b(2) 4, II a 3, II b 1, III b 1 and IV b1. All 12 samples were assessed through immunohistochemical methods including epithelial cell markers and neuroendocrine cell markers, showing positive results in all. Nine early stage patients underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Five of these 9 patients had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCH) once or twice before operation, three patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (ACH) once to six times after operation. Three patients with advanced lesions received concurrent chemotherapy twice to four times.

RESULTS44.4% (4/9) of patients treated by pelvic lymphadenectomy showed positive lymph node metastasis. The average disease free intervals of patients who showed positive or negative pelvic lymph node were 16.1 and 25.7 months, overall survival of 19 and 32 months. The success rate of surgery in the NCH group was 100%, 60% of whom showed chemotherapy response pathologically. They showed overall response rates of 80% (4/5), 20% CR (1/5) and 60% PR (3/5).

CONCLUSIONPoor prognosis of small cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, even the early lesions, is due to its high incidence of pelvic lymph metastasis. The risk factor of this lesion is high sensitivity to chemotherapy, but chemotherapeutic long-term survival should be studied further with more allotted material.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Treatment Outcome ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of uterine mullerian adenosarcoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 9 cases of uterine mullerian adenosarcoma in PUMC hospital from January 2003 to February 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 6 uterine endometrial adenosarcomas and 3 cervical adenosarcomas. The main clinical manifestations were abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Physical examination showed cervical/vaginal mass, enlarged uterus or pelvic mass. The adenosarcoma was characterized by benign or atypical-appearing neoplastic glands within a sarcomatous stroma. This stroma could appear as periglandular cuffs or intraglandular polypoid projections of increased cellular structure. The primary diagnostic rate was 66.7% and the most common clinical stage was stage I (7/9). All patients received surgical treatment and seven had postoperative chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Conservation of unilateral ovary or bilateral ovaries was performed in 5 cases. Three patients underwent local excision, which resulted in the preservation of reproductive function. During the follow-up, 2 cases of uterine endometrial adenosarcoma recurred. One patient of clinical stage III containing sarcomatous overgrowth died from recurrence 13 months after surgery. The other one recurred 2 years after local excision of the tumor in the uterine cavity and she remained healthy since hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONUterine mullerian adenosarcoma is a rare tumor without specific clinical symptoms and signs. The diagnosis depends on pathomorphologic examination. The tumors show low malignant potential and the vast majority are at early stage. Surgical excision is the main treatment strategy with a good prognosis in the early stage disease with complete removal of tumors. The prognosis is poor in advanced adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth. Due to the relatively high rate of recurrence, long-term follow-up is recommended.

Adenosarcoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Ifosfamide ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Uterine Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

Brachytherapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features, treatment outcomes and possible prognostic factors in elderly patients with cervical cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 215 elderly women (> or = 65-years-old) with cervical cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Most patients (89.3%) had advanced stage ( II b-IV) disease. Eight of the 215 patients (3.7%) underwent surgical treatment, and six of those received postoperative radiotherapy. 133 patients received radiotherapy alone, and 74 patients underwent concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

RESULTSThe median follow-up time was 48 months (range: 12-102 months). The overall 5-year survival rate was 63.7%. The 5-year survival rate for stage I, II, III, IV were 83.2%, 76.4%, 39.0% and 0, respectively. There was no significant difference in 5-year survival rate between patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone. In multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, non-squamous histologies and poor differentiation were all negative prognostic factors for the overall survival.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment strategy for elderly cervical cancer patients should be individually planned according to the disease stage and performance status of the patients. Usually, one radical therapy modality can be chosen, and combined modality therapy is not suggested.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics, influencing factors and outcome of recurrent patients with early stage bulky cervical carcinoma.

METHODSBetween January 1(st) 2000 and December 31(st) 2009, 76 patients with stage Ib2 and IIa2 bulky cervical carcinoma developed recurrence and (or) metastasis. The recurrence time, recurrence location, recurrence-related factors, treatment and survival were analyzed.

RESULTSThe median follow up was 44 months (9-137 months). The overall recurrence and (or) metastasis rate was 22.6%. The 1-, 1-2, 3-5 and 5-year recurrence and (or) metastasis rates were 38.2%, 27.6%, 30.3% and 3.9%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of local recurrence was 34.5%, that of distant metastasis was 23.6%, and that of distant metastasis with synchronous pelvic recurrence was 11.1%, (P = 0.555). The 5-year survival rate of patients who received surgery plus chemotherapy, radiation plus chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone after recurrence and (or) metastasis were 53.3%, 30.7% and 24.6%, respectively (P = 0.686). Univariate analysis demonstrated that tumor recurrence and (or) metastasis in patients of the stage Ib2 and IIa2 bulky cervical carcinoma were influenced by the disease stage, pelvic lymph node metastasis, deep cervical stromal invasion, lymphovascular tumor thrombus and pathological types. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that pelvic lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular tumor thrombus and pathological types were the key factors affecting the recurrence and (or) metastases of the stage Ib2 and IIa2 bulky cervical carcinoma. Subgroup analysis showed that pelvic lymph node metastasis and stage were the main factors affecting the local recurrence in those patients, and the pathological type, vascular tumor thrombus and pelvic lymph node metastasis were the main factors affecting the distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSRecurrence and(or) metastasis of early stage bulky cervical cancer are mostly happened within 2 years post operation. Patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis have high probability to develop local recurrence and distant metastasis. Patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma and lymphovascular tumor thrombus are more likely to develop distant metastasis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not decrease local recurrence and distant metastasis in patients with stage Ib2 and IIa2 bulky cervical carcinoma. Individualized treatment is advised for recurrent patients.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pelvis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histological changes of cervical cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and to establish histological criteria for interpretation of chemotherapeutical effects.

METHODSFifty-six patients with FIGO stage Ib2-IIa cervical cancers treated by NACT and subsequent radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed, in which the pre- and post-chemotherapeutic histopathological changes were assessed.

RESULTSThe post-chemotherapeutic histopathological changes of 56 cases included grade 3 effects in 11 cases (19.6%), grade 2 in 24 cases (42.9%), grade 1 in 13 cases (23.2%) and no response in only 8 cases (14.3%). The histologic response rate was 62.5% (35/56) and the overall clinical response rate was 67.9% (38/56). The overall coincidence by both criteria was 78.6% (44/56). Four cases (7.1%, 4/56) had only histological response and 8 cases (14.3%, 8/56) had response by imaging. In comparison with the pre-chemotherapy specimens, the chemotherapy-associated histological changes included shrinkage and scattering of tumor nests,decrease of tumor cellularity,tumor cell degeneration and necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe histological changes in locally advanced cervical cancers induced by NACT are significant, which may challenge the diagnosis in the final specimens. There are some discreqancies between the histological criteria and imaging/gynecological ones for the therapeutic evaluation of cervical cancers,and it is thus recommended to use the pathological criteria for clinic practice.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Preoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin or cisplatin for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

METHODSA total of 70 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin or cisplatin in our department from July 2007 to May 2010. The stage distribution among the patients included 45 stage IB2, 21 stage IIa, and 4 stage IIb. Of the 70 patients, 6 were G1, 26 were G2, 32 were G3, and the rest 6 patients were not histologically classified. Sixty-five patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 3 had adenocarcinoma, and 2 patients had adenosquamous cell carcinoma. The clinicopathological parameters were analyzed, and their impact on tumor response were investigated.

RESULTSOf the 70 patients, 14 (20.0%) showed a complete response, 37 (52.9%) had a partial response to chemotherapy, making an overall response rate of 72.9%. Sixty-eight (95.7%) patients underwent surgery, and among them 12 (17.1%) pathological CR were identified. Eleven (16.2%) patients were found to have lymph node metastasis after surgery. Response rates of stage Ib2 and IIa patients were 73.7% and 52.3%, respectively, P<0.05. Patients with SCC exhibited a better response rate than patients with adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous cell carcinoma (73.8% vs. 60.0%). Initial tumor volume, histological classification and cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were not significantly correlated with the response rate.

CONCLUSIONPaclitaxel and carboplatin or cisplatin regimen is a promising therapy with definite short-term efficacy, can improve the resection rate with tolerable side effects, and is an applicable option of treatment for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer in the neoadjuvant setting.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Remission Induction ; Serpins ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; virology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; virology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; metabolism ; Rituximab ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; virology ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential role of preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy on early stage cervical squamous carcinoma with bulky tumor.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-five patients with cervical squamous cancer stages Ib-IIa were investigated, among which 17 patients with bulky tumors (> or = 4 cm) were managed by cisplatin-based chemotherapy for 1-2 courses followed by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (BC group). The change of tumor size, pelvic lymph nodes metastasis, cervical wall invasion, the involvement of surgical specimen margin, and the blood loss during operation were assessed after operation and compared with those in 51 patients with bulky tumors (BN group) and 77 patients with small local tumors (S group) who underwent surgery directly.

RESULTS(1) The tumor size of 17 patients in BC group were decreased in various degrees after chemotherapy, with 13 patients of clinical effectiveness (76.47%). And the responsiveness pertained to neither histological differentiation nor size of local tumors. (2) Post-operative histology has showed that patients in BC and BN group have higher incidence of lymph node metastasis and deep cervical infiltration (5/68 and 3/68, respectively) than in S group (1/77 and 1/77, respectively) while with no statistical significance. (3) Blood loss during operation in BC group was less than BN and S group. (4) Seventeen patients, including those underwent surgeries of vaginal prolongation and/or ovarian transposition, appeared disease-free survival within the follow-up time.

CONCLUSIONSMost of patients with bulky early stage cervical squamous carcinoma are sensitive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, which could greatly reduce local tumor size and in turn facilitate the following operation by well controlling blood loss.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Preoperative Care ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; surgery ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage