E.D. Thomas

The survival detriment of venous thromboembolism with epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of venous thromboembolism (VTE) chronology with respect to surgery on survival with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS An IRB approved, retrospective review was performed of patients treated for Stage I-IV EOC from 1996 to 2011. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess associations between VTE and the primary outcomes of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). SAS 9.3 was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS 586 patients met study criteria. Median age was 63 years (range, 17-94); median BMI was 27.1 kg/m(2) (range, 13.7-67.0). Most tumors were high grade serous (68.3%) and advanced stage (III/IV, 75.4%). 3.7% had a preoperative VTE; 13.2% had a postoperative VTE. Upon multivariate analysis adjusting for age, stage, histology, performance status, and residual disease, preoperative VTE was predictive of OS (HR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.6-6.1, p=0.001) but not PFS (p=0.55). Postoperative VTE was associated with shorter PFS (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.04-2.02, p=0.03) and OS (HR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.6, p=0.001). When VTE timing was modeled, preoperative VTE (HR 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8-6.9, p<0.001) and postoperative VTE after primary therapy (HR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.6, p=0.001) were predictive of OS. CONCLUSION Preoperative and postoperative VTE appear to have a detrimental effect on OS with EOC. When modeled as a binary variable, postoperative VTE attenuated PFS; however, when VTE timing was modeled, postoperative VTE was not associated with PFS. It is unclear whether VTE is an inherent poor prognostic marker or if improved VTE prophylaxis and treatment may enable similar survival to patients without these events.

Does Obesity Affect Pathologic Agreement of Initial and Final Tumor Grade of Disease in Endometrial Cancer Patients

Objectives The objectives of this study were to compare preoperative and postoperative tumor grade to determine if surgical staging decisions for endometrial cancer based on preoperative biopsy are feasible and whether obesity affects the agreement. Methods A retrospective cohort study of women with endometrial cancer between January 2010 and December 2011 was performed. Demographics, stage of final pathology, biopsy method, preoperative and postoperative tissue grade, and histology were abstracted and stratified by patient body mass index (obese ≥30 kg/m2 and nonobese <30 kg/m2). Patients with incomplete records or uterine sarcoma were excluded. The agreement between preoperative and postoperative tumor grade for all patients and in obese and nonobese patients was determined using weighted κ statistics. Results Four hindered forty-five patients were included: 161 nonobese patients and 284 obese patients. The proportion of preoperative sampling via office biopsy and dilation and curettage was similar in each cohort. Overall, the agreement between preoperative and postoperative pathology was only fair (weighted κ = 0.21). Stratified by body mass index, the agreement between preoperative and postoperative grade remains fair in obese and slight in nonobese patients (weighted κ = 0.21 and 0.19, respectively). Substantial increases in tumor grade from preoperative to postoperative pathologic specimens occurred in both cohorts. Conclusions Obesity does not appear to significantly alter the correlation between preoperative biopsy and final tumor grade. With only fair correlation between preoperative and postoperative pathologic evaluation, utilization of preoperative biopsy pathology results as a triage tool for surgical staging should be avoided. However, the discordance between preoperative and postoperative pathology in favor of a higher grade on final pathology in both groups may cause some surgeons to favor staging.

Effectiveness of cyanoacrylate microbial sealant in the reduction of surgical site infection in gynecologic oncology procedures: A phase III single institution prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVES Surgery is a cornerstone for patients with gynecologic malignancies. Surgical site infections (SSI) remain a source of post-operative morbidity. Consequences range from escalated costs, delay in adjuvant therapy, and increased morbidity. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cyanoacrylate microbial sealant (CMS) to reduce post-operative SSI following laparotomy for suspected gynecologic malignancy. METHODS Patients were randomized using a 1:1 allocation to receive either standard skin preparation or standard preparation with CMS and stratified by BMI. Patients were followed for 6weeks for SSI. Demographic data was collected through the EMR. Associations between SSI, use of CMS, and clinicopathologic factors were explored using descriptive statistics, chi-square and multivariate analysis. RESULTS 300 patients underwent randomization. Median age of the cohort was 58. Arms were matched and there was no difference in rate of medical comorbidities. Mean BMI was 38.8kg/m2 in patients randomized to BMI≥30 and 26.3kg/m2 randomized to BMI<30. Surgical characteristics for the entire cohort: 66% malignancy, 91% clean-contaminated, 21% bowel surgery, 25% transfusion. Seventy-six (25%) patients developed a SSI: 43 patients (28%) treated with CMS, compared to 33 (21%) patients treated without CMS (p=0.18). Multivariate model demonstrated that BMI≥30 (p<0.005), surgery for malignancy (p=0.010), transfusion in the OR (p<0.001), and closure with staples (p=0.0005) were associated with post-operative SSI. CONCLUSIONS Patients presenting to a gynecologic oncologist for surgery frequently present with multiple risk factors for SSI and laparotomy is complicated by surgical-site complications in up to 30% of cases. The addition of CMS alone does not appear to reduce risk of overall SSI. Additional risk-reducing strategies including use of antimicrobial agents and optimization of modifiable risk factors prior to surgery should be explored as pathways for reducing this significant post-operative morbidity.

Inpatient versus outpatient management of neutropenic fever in gynecologic oncology patients: Is risk stratification useful?

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the utility of risk stratification of gynecologic oncology patients with neutropenic fever (NF). METHODS A retrospective chart review of gynecologic cancer patients admitted with NF from 2007 to 2011 was performed, wherein demographic, oncologic, and NF characteristics (hospitalization length, complications, and death) were collected. The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk index score was calculated; low risk was considered ≥ 21. SAS 9.2 was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS Eighty-three patients met the study criteria. Most (92%) were Caucasian and had advanced stage disease (71%). Primary tumors were 58% ovary, 35% endometrium, and 6% cervix. All patients were receiving chemotherapy on admission (72% for primary, 28% for recurrent disease). Forty-eight percent had a positive culture, and most (58%) positive cultures were urine. Seventy-six percent of patients were considered low risk. High-risk patients were more likely to have a severe complication (10% versus 50%, p=0.0003), multiple severe complications (3% versus 20%, p=0.0278), ICU admission (2% versus 40%, p<0.0001), overall mortality (2% versus 15%, p=0.0417), and death due to neutropenic fever (0% versus 15%, p=0.0124). MASCC had a positive predictive value of 50% and negative predictive value of 90%. The median MASCC score for all patients was 22 (range, 11-26), but the median MASCC score for those with death or a severe complication was 17 (range, 11-24). CONCLUSION Based on this pilot data, MASCC score appears promising in determining suitability for outpatient management of NF in gynecologic oncology patients. Prospective study is ongoing to confirm safety and determine impact on cost.

The use of biologic agents and clinical trials may prolong survival for women with primary platinum resistant ovarian carcinoma

Hispanic (8%), Asian (4%), and other races (3%). 29% were from the South, 26% from the Midwest, 25% Northeast, and 21% were from the West. 23% of hospitals were higher volume (N20 cases/year) vs. lower volume hospitals. 1647 (25%) underwent robotic surgery (RS), 820 (12%) laparoscopic (LS), vs. 4093 (62%) had open surgery (OS). The older (N 62 years, median) were more likely to have RS compared to younger (26% vs. 24%, p = 0.02). 29% of Whites had RS compared to only 20% Native Americans, 15% Hispanics, 12% Blacks, and 11% of Asians (p b 0.01). Patients from Midwest, Northeast, South and West had RS in 26%, 26%, 25%, and 23% of cases. Higher volume hospital performed 72% of all surgeries and 84% of all RS. Moreover, these higher volume hospitals were more likely to use RS compared to lower volume institutions (29% vs. 14%, p b 0.01). Those with low(b

What is the impact of distance from a comprehensive cancer center on survival in patients with cervical cancer

40,999),middle (

Do Radiation Delivery and Outcomes Differ With Obesity in Locoregionally Advanced Cervix Cancer

41,000–

The survival detriment of venous thromboembolism with epithelial ovarian cancer

50,999), upper middle (

Acquired platinum resistance among women with high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer

51,000–

Characterization of primary platinum resistance in an era of biologic agents and novel chemotherapeutic design

66,999), and high (N