BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecologic endocrine disorder affecting between 2.2% and 26% of the population. It is typically characterized by hirsutism and signs of ovulatory dysfunction. Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excess body or facial terminal hair growth in females, following a male-like pattern. It is diagnosed using visual assessment methods, such as the modified Ferriman–Gallwey (mFG) scoring system, and biochemical tests, including measurements of total testosterone (tT) and the free androgen index (FAI).

The general objective of the study is to identify the correlation of visual scoring with the biochemical evaluation of hirsutism. Specific objectives include (1) to describe the visual and biochemical scores of hirsutism in PCOS patients and (2) to determine a cutoff score for the visual scoring of hirsutism among Filipinos.

This is a cross-sectional study done in a tertiary hospital. Ethical approval was obtained for this study. Patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and OB score were noted. Visual scoring for hirsutism using the mFG scoring system was performed. Blood extraction was done for testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin tests. FAI was then computed and correlated with the mFG scores.

A total of 52 patients were identified. A positive correlation is noted between the mFG with testosterone and FAI. A positive correlation was also noted between the BMI with testosterone and FAI. An mFG value of >4 is an acceptable cutoff for Filipinos.

The study showed as the mFG score increases, FAI and tT levels also increase. It was also noted that as BMI increases, the FAI and tT levels are also expected to increase. It can also be concluded that a lower mFG cutoff value, >4, is applicable for Filipinos.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence, treatment, and survival outcomes of Swyer syndrome with gonadal non-dysgerminoma malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT-NDG). Methods: A retrospective study was performed on Swyer syndrome patients with MGCT-NDG between January 2011 and December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital to investigate their characteristics and outcomes. Results: A total of 15 patients (4.9%, 15/307) with Swyer syndrome were identified in 307 MGCT-NDG patients. The average age at diagnosis of MGCT-NDG and Swyer syndrome were (16.8±6.7) and (16.7±6.6) years, respectively. Six cases were preoperatively diagnosed as Swyer syndrome, of which 4 cases received bilateral gonadectomy with or without hysterectomy, while the other 2 cases underwent removal of gonadal tumor and unilateral gonadectomy with hysterectomy, respectively. Of the 9 patients postoperatively diagnosed as Swyer syndrome, unilateral gonadectomy, removal of gonadal tumor, and unilateral gonadectomy with hysterectomy were performed in 6 patients, 2 patients, and 1 patient, respectively. Mixed malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT;10 cases), yolk sac tumor (4 cases), and immature teratoma (1 case) were the pathological subtypes, in the descending order. There were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ⅰ in 6 cases, stage Ⅱ in 3 cases, stage Ⅲ in 5 cases, and stage Ⅳ in 1 case, respectively. Eleven patients received reoperation for residual gonadectomy after a average delay of (7.9±6.2) months, including 8 MGCT-NDG patients and 1 gonadoblastoma patient, no tumor involved was seen in the remaining gonads in the other 2 cases. Ten patients experienced at least one recurrence, with a median event free survival of 9 months (5, 30 months), of which 2 patients received surgery only at the time of initial treatment. All patients with recurrence received surgery and combined with postoperative chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 25 months (15, 42 months), 10 patients were disease-free, 3 patients died of the tumor, 1 died of side effects of leukemia chemotherapy, and 1 survived with disease. Conclusion: The incidence rate of Swyer syndrome in patients with MGCT-NDG is about 4.9%; timely diagnosis and bilateral gonadectomy should be emphasized to reduce the risk of reoperation and second carcinogenesis in this population.
Female ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY/surgery* ; Gonadoblastoma/surgery* ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*

Background: Ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer patients with advanced-stage diagnosis or recurrences spread to the peritoneal surface of the abdomen. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can penetrate and eradicate tumors that are microscopic up to those with a diameter of 2.5 cm from the peritoneal surface following cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Objectives: The study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of CRS with HIPEC versus CRS alone for patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 50 patients (20 patients underwent CRS + HIPEC, while 30 patients underwent CRS alone). Records of these patients from January 2014 to June 2020 were reviewed, tabulated, and analyzed. Results: The difference in recurrence rate between CRS with HIPEC and CRS alone was not statistically significant (50% vs. 43%, P = 0.774). The median time to recurrence was 10 and 9 months, respectively (P = 0.636). Five percent in the HIPEC group succumbed to the disease, while 13% died in the CRS alone group (P = 0.636). More post-operative complications were noted in the HIPEC group (45% vs. 10%, P = 0.007), but among these, only 2 cases had grade 3 to 4 complications (10%). The addition of HIPEC in the management of these patients resulted in a longer operative time (360 vs. 240 min, P < 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (8 vs. 6 days, P = 0.026). There were no intra- or peri-operative mortalities in both groups. Conclusion CRS with HIPEC and CRS alone showed similar time to recurrence and recurrence rate. CRS with HIPEC had low risk of grade 3-4 complications and may still be considered as a treatment option for advanced, progressive, and recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer.
Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures ; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy ; Ovarian Neoplasms

Objectives: We aimed to study the trend of referrals for precocious puberty during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-COVID years, explore the differences in the demographic and clinical features, and evaluate the contributing factors. Methodology: The cases referred for assessment of PP from 2018-2021 to our endocrine centre were grouped into pre-COVID (2018-2019) and COVID (2020-2021) years. Cases fulfilling the diagnosis of PP included the onset of thelarche <8 years in females and 4 ml testicular volume <9 years in males. The PP was further differentiated as Isolated Thelarche (IST) and Central Precocious Puberty (CPP). Early menarche was defined as menarche <10 years old. Results: There were more referrals for PP and more diagnosed as CPP during the COVID-19 pandemic, predominantly among females. There were more endocrine tests done and more cases received treatment. None of the abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pituitary findings required surgical intervention. The body mass index (BMI) was found to be positively associated with the risk of getting CPP with a crude-odd ratio (COR) of 1.8, P <0.001, and early menarche (COR 2.1, P <0.001). Conclusion We found a significant increase in the referrals of PP and diagnosis of CPP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher BMI was found to be associated with CPP and early menarche.
Puberty, Precocious ; COVID-19 ; Obesity

Krukenberg tumors are very rare. Its origin is difficult to define especially if its gross features mimic a primary ovarian cancer. We present a case of a 24-year-old Filipino female patient with metastatic mucinous ovarian adenocarcinoma of colonic origin that mimicked primary ovarian cancer and genitourinary tuberculosis. Surgery was done and histopathology revealed that the cancer was a metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of colonic origin. This case highlights the importance of differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian lesions as well as distinction between primary and metastatic ovarian neoplasms. Radiological imaging has an evolving role in diagnosis of different cancers, which may be improved through better clinical correlation and developing meaningful differential diagnosis while advancing to a more strategized algorithm in the diagnostic approach.

Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), is a rare and aggressive type of ovarian cancer. It generally presents in younger patients, is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and is associated with a dismal prognosis. Due to its rarity and morphologic similarity to more common ovarian tumors, diagnosis may be a challenge. A high index of suspicion followed by appropriate immunohistochemistry stains performed by an expert pathologist is essential to diagnosis. Two cases of SCCOHT are presented: 21 years old with rapidly progressive Stage IIIA1i disease who underwent surgery and succumbed to the illness after 3 months before adjuvant treatment could be given, and a 49 years old with Stage IIIB disease with tumor progression who is on adjuvant chemotherapy and apparently well, 21 months after her first symptoms appeared. Related literature is presented and compared to the features of the index cases. Diagnosis and treatment options are also discussed briefly.
ovarian cancer ; ovarian neoplasms

A Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT) is an extremely rare type of sex cord stromal tumor of the ovary, which mainly secretes testosterone, thus manifestations of hyperandrogenism commonly appear. This paper shall discuss a case of a postmenopausal woman who presented with pelvic organ prolapse, large left ovarian cyst and mild signs of hyperandrogenism. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which on microscopic examination of the specimens, revealed a Mature cystic teratoma on the left ovary and an incidental finding of a well-differentiated SLCT, on the grossly normal-looking ovary. This histopathologic diagnosis of SLCT explained the patient’s hyperandrogenic characteristics. Authors likewise discussed the proper management of SLCT, including immunostaining and need for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathologic profile of testicular cancer at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City from January 2017 to December 2022.

This is a retrospective study that analyzed data from a cohort of 33 patients using a combination of descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

The study revealed a mean patient age of 35 years, with the majority (82%) falling between 19 and 59 years. Cryptorchidism was associated with 9% of cases, and most tumors (55%) were located on the right side, with sizes between 3 and 10 cm (58%). The predominant symptom was a painless testicular mass (100%), underscoring the importance of self-examination. Pathologic stage distribution indicates a predominance of advanced stages, notably Stage IIIC at 24%. Germ cell tumors constitute 91% (52% seminoma, 39% non-seminoma), with no significant correlation between tumor stage at diagnosis and number of risk factors identified or body mass index (BMI). Symptom duration trends towards significance in association with advanced stages.

The study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of testicular cancer in the Philippines, aligning with global trends. It emphasizes the crucial role of early detection through selfexamination and timely consultation. The prevalence of advanced stages highlights the imperative for heightened awareness and intervention.

Disorders of sex development (DSD) are characterized by atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or phenotypic sex. 45X,46XY mosaicism is a type of sex chromosome DSD which presents with a wide heterogeneity of manifestations. We report the case of a 13-year-old phenotypically female who presented with clitoromegaly at puberty. Testosterone level was elevated on serology. Out of the 50 cells examined, 43 cells had Monosomy X while 7 cells had a normal male karyotype. She was managed by a multidisciplinary team. Due to the presence of Y chromosome, the solid nodular structure seen on the right gonad in magnetic resonance imaging and the pain caused by the phallus, Laparoscopic bilateral gonadectomy, salpingectomy and clitoroplasty were done after a shared decision making. Histopathology revealed Gonadoblastoma and Germ cell neoplasia-in-situ of the right gonad justifying timely removal. She was then maintained on estrogen for induction of secondary sexual characteristics.

Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), which approved in recent years, are recommended for ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers by The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) guidelines. Because most of PARPi are metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzyme system, there are extensive interactions with other drugs commonly used in cancer patients. By setting up a consensus working group including pharmaceutical experts, clinical experts and methodology experts, this paper forms a consensus according to the following steps: determine clinical problems, data retrieval and evaluation, Delphi method to form recommendations, finally formation expert opinion on PARPi interaction management. This paper will provide practical reference for clinical medical staff.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Consensus ; Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drug Interactions ; Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose/therapeutic use*