1.Pattern of lymph node metastasis and p53 abnormal (p53abn) expression in preoperative early-stage endometrial cancer: A 5-year institutional experience.
Angeli Anne C. ANG ; Carolyn R. ZALAMEDA-CASTRO ; Cecile C. DUNGOG ; Michele H. DIWA ; Karen Cybelle J. SOTALBO
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(8):98-106
BACKGROUND
Early-stage endometrial cancer often presents with favorable survival rates, but high-risk factors, including TP53 mutations and high-grade serous pathology, can lead to recurrence and poor prognosis. The standard primary treatment for endometrial cancer is surgical staging, and lymph node metastases significantly impact adjuvant therapy decisions. The subgroup of p53-abnormal (p53abn) indicates the worst prognosis and potential benefits from adjuvant chemotherapy. Molecular classification, while recommended, faces practical challenges due to resource constraints.
OBJECTIVESThe study aimed to assess the incidence of p53 abnormal expression in clinical stage 1 endometrial cancer cases that underwent surgery at a government tertiary hospital, and assess its relationship with clinicopathologic factors and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis (LNM).
METHODSA cross-sectional retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical early-stage endometrial cancer cases that underwent surgical primary treatment between January 2018 and December 2022. Patient records were reviewed to gather demographics, surgical information, and pathological evaluations. Preoperative clinical staging was determined through imaging, and surgical staging involved comprehensive lymphadenectomy. Immunohistochemistry studies for p53 were carried out on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
RESULTSA total of 233 endometrial cancer cases were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.7 years. Common comorbidities included hypertension (47.2%) and dyslipidemia (20.6%). Most cases were endometrioid histology (82.8%) and low-grade tumors (85.8%). Tumor grade (p=0.010), myometrial invasion (pCONCLUSION
Tumor grade, myometrial invasion, and LVSI were all significantly associated with lymph node involvement. While p53 immunohistochemical stains show promise in predicting metastasis and has been associated with tumor aggressiveness, this should still be correlated with clinicopathological parameters to carry out a more accurate risk stratification of early-stage patients.
Therapeutics ; Survival Rate ; Risk Factors ; Recurrence ; Prognosis ; Pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Immunohistochemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein P53 ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Assessment
2.Needlestick injuries among obstetrician-gynecologist trainees: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices
Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;49(2):98-105
INTRODUCTION
Needlestick injury is a major healthcare hazard. The burden of the problem is difficult to estimate due to underreporting by healthcare workers.
OBJECTIVESTo gain insight into the level of knowledge and perception, attitude and practices of obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) residents and subspecialty fellows-in-training in a tertiary hospital on blood-borne diseases from needle stick injuries and postexposure prophylaxis.
MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study among all residents and fellows in training of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary hospital was conducted in December 2017. The explanatory sequential mixed method approach of data collection was utilized using a self-administered original pilot-tested questionnaire and focused group discussion.
RESULTSEighty-four OB-GYN s in training took part in the study. The prevalence of needle stick injury was 80.95%, but only about half of the incidents were reported. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge and attitudes toward management and policies on needlestick injuries between fellows and residents. The fellows appeared to be more frequently compliant with practices to prevent and manage needle stick injuries compared to the residents. There is weak but statistically significant positive relationship between the respondents’ knowledge and practice scores.
CONCLUSIONSAlthough the respondents have very good knowledge, adherence to the practices to prevent and manage needlestick injuries is low.
Human ; Female ; Attitude ; Blood-borne Pathogens ; Knowledge ; Needlestick Injuries ; Sharps Injuries
3.Current status and challenges in training the next generation of gynecologic cancer care providers in Asia
Jyoti MEENA ; Dipanwita BANERJEE ; Se Ik KIM ; Hiroaki KOMATSU ; Shuk Tak KWOK ; Yen-Ling LAI ; Chia-Sui WENG ; Jie YANG ; Carolyn ZALAMEDA-CASTRO ; Kittipat CHAROENKWAN ; Yoo-Young LEE ; Joseph J. NOH
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(6):e103-
Objective:
Gynecologic oncology is undergoing rapid development with continuous advances in treatment strategies, surgical techniques, and clinical research. Training programs must keep pace by providing future specialists with the necessary surgical skills and a solid understanding of evolving practices. This study aimed to examine the current state of gynecologic oncology training in Asia and to identify key challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Methods:
A descriptive survey was conducted in October 2023 under the leadership of the Education Committee of the Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology (ASGO). Key stakeholders involved in clinical training and policy-making from eight countries and regions (China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) responded to an online questionnaire assessing the structure and quality of their national training programs.
Results:
Six of the eight countries/regions have official gynecologic oncology societies.Training duration was three years or more in five regions and two years in the remaining three. Seven reported conducting formal assessments of surgical skills. While five programs offered adequate exposure to minimally invasive surgery, three noted limitations. Satisfaction with research opportunities and overall training quality also varied. The most frequently cited concern was the lack of standardized curricula.
Conclusion
This regional overview reveals notable differences in training approaches across Asia. Standardizing educational frameworks and expanding collaborative initiatives – such as virtual tumor boards, elective rotations, and skills-based workshops – may help address current gaps and strengthen gynecologic oncology training in the region.
4.Prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women in community-based screening program using visual inspection with acetic acid in Metro Manila
Genalin Fabul Amparo ; Carolyn Reyes Zalameda-Castro ; Michelle S. Diwa-Hernandez
Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2023;47(1):11-16
Background:
Cervical cancer remains a health-care burden in our country. Majority of women afflicted with this cancer are diagnosed in advanced stage. Several groups like the Philippine Society for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (PSCPC) have put forth efforts to decrease and eventually eliminate cervical cancer through improvement in level of awareness on the disease and community-based cervical cancer screening programs using visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA). Data on the prevalence of premalignant lesions using this screening method are limited in our country. Thus, the initiative of the society (PSCPC) to embark on this study.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women screened in community-based screening program using VIA in Metro Manila.
Methodology:
A retrospective cross-sectional study with collection of data from medical records of cervical screening programs done by the PSCPC from March 2017 to December 2019 was done. VIA was done for screening. All VIA-positive women underwent colposcopy and those with abnormal findings had colposcopically guided cervical punch biopsy.
Results:
A total of 1072 women were screened with a positivity rate of 14.6%. One hundred and fifty-six women were VIA positive and 79 of these women underwent colposcopically guided biopsy. Premalignant cervical lesions were seen in 21 women. The prevalence rate of premalignant cervical lesions in VIA-positive women was 13.5%. The prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among all women screened was 2%. Risk factors associated with premalignant lesions were early coitarche and smoking.
Conclusion
The prevalence of premalignant cervical lesions among women who underwent community-based cervical cancer screening using VIA is lower compared to other studies at 2%.
5.Growing teratoma syndrome: A case report
Geminelle Y. Co ; Carolyn R. Zalameda-Castro
Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2020;44(3):39-43
Growing teratoma syndrome is a rare phenomenon. Presented is a case of a 36 year old, G2P2 (2002) who consulted for abdominal enlargement and subsequently underwent exploratory laparotomy, peritoneal fluid cytology, left salpingooophorectomy, right oophorocystectomy, infracolic omentectomy and random peritoneal biopsy. Histopathology revealed immature teratoma of the ovary, FIGO grade III, stage IIIC. She received adjuvant chemotherapy using Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin. After the second cycle of chemotherapy, new lesions were appreciated in the right ovary and at the cul de sac for which she underwent exploratory laparotomy, peritoneal fluid cytology, total hysterectomy with right salpingooophorectomy, tumor debulking, infragastric omentectomy, random peritoneal biopsy. Histopathologic study showed mature teratoma. No further treatment was given. Presently, patient has no evidence of disease for 5 months.
Teratoma, Ovarian
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Teratoma
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Ovarian Neoplasms
;
Syndrome
6.The effect of nifedipine used as tocolytic agent on postpartum blood loss among Filipino pregnant patients in a tertiary hospital: A prospective cohort study.
Ma. Sheryll R. DE JESUS ; Carolyn R. ZALAMEDA-CASTRO
Acta Medica Philippina 2018;52(1):32-39
OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of postpartum hemorrhage among patients who were treated with nifedipine for tocolysis of preterm labor.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 66 pregnant women admitted for preterm labor. One group of women was given nifedipine to give time for the administration of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity and/or control of preterm labor and another group was not given nifedipine as they were admitted in advanced stage of labor (ie, more than or equal to 4 cm cervical dilatation). Independent/paired sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U/Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Fisher's exact test were used to determine the difference of mean, median, and frequency between and within groups, respectively. STATA 12.0 was used for data analysis.
RESULTS: There was more blood loss during delivery, which was statistically significant, among those who received nifedipine compared to those who have not taken the medicine (350 mL versus 250 mL, p = 0.021). Furthermore, the decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit were also lower among those who did not receive nifedipine compared to those who received nifedipine for tocolysis (8.5 mg/dL versus 16.0 mg/dL, p = 0.014 and 0.03 versus 0.05, p = 0.010), again, statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: Nifedipine used as tocolytic appear to increase blood loss during delivery, which was statistically significant. Greater amount of blood loss may be anticipated among those with nifedipine intake thus helping the obstetrician in preparing for active management of postpartum hemorrhage and preventing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Human ; Female ; Adult (a Person 19-44 Years Of Age) ; Nifedipine ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Tocolytic Agents ; Nifedipine-adverse Effects


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