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%.

OBJECTIVE: To review the toxicity profile of intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in Filipino patients with epithelial ovarian and fallopian tube carcinoma.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series of sixteen patients who received IP chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian and fallopian tube cancer between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2010 was performed. IP chemotherapy regimen consisted of GOG 172 protocol (n=11); SWOG 8501/GOG 104 protocol (n=2); IV Paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 day 1/IP Cisplatin 100 mg/m2 day 2 (n=1); Fujiwara protocol (n=1); and IP Oxaliplatin 100mg/m2 (n=1). Demographic profile was collected. Patients were assessed for toxicity.
RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent IP chemotherapy. The median age was 51 (range: 37-62). Six patients had stage III disease, 2 had stage I, 4 had persistence, 2 had recurrent ovarian cancer and one had stage II fallopian tube cancer. Median number of cycles given was 3.5. Seven out of 16 patients (43.75%) completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy, 5 out of 16 (31.25%) were still undergoing treatment. Fifty seven cycles were analyzed for toxicity. Maximal grade of adverse effects were: Grade(G) 2 anemia, 8.77%; G3 leukopenia, 1.75%. G3 anorexia/nausea/vomiting/dehydration, 5.26%; G3/4 diarrhea, 1.75%; G3 ileus/skin toxicity, 1.75%; G2/3 abdominal pain, 1.75%; G3/4 hypokalemia, 1.75%; and G3 fatigue, 3.5%. IP catheter-related infection occurred in one patient (1.75%), two (3.5%) had IP port re-insertion and one patient (1.75%) had leakage problem. No deaths were reported in this series.
CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is welltolerated with acceptable toxicities in the treatment of ovarian and fallopian tube carcinoma in the Philippines.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Infusions, Parenteral