Masamichi Hiura

Clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary

OBJECTIVE We conducted the present study to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of mucinous adenocarcinoma. METHODS Two hundred twenty-five patients were diagnosed with mucinous adenocarcinoma at individual institutes and underwent primary treatment between 1998 and 2003. Of these patients, 189 patients who could undergo central pathological review were enrolled in this study. Of 189 patients undergoing central pathological review, 64 patients (33.9%) were diagnosed with mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma, 45 mucinous intraepithelial carcinoma, and 42 mucinous tumor of borderline malignancy. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with other histological subtypes, including 8 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 5 clear cell carcinoma, 3 serous adenocarcinoma, and 4 mixed type. There were 13 cases of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma, including 7 pseudomyxoma peritonei. Four hundred thirty-three patients with serous adenocarcinoma were used as controls. RESULTS Forty-five patients with mucinous invasive carcinoma were in FIGO I-II stages and 19 in III-IV stages. There was no difference in the outcome between mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma and serous adenocarcinoma in I-II stage patients and III-IV stage patients with optimal operation. In contrast, patients with mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma receiving suboptimal operation showed a significantly worse prognosis (survival rate: 27.8% vs. 61.5%). The response rate to chemotherapy for mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma was significantly lower than for serous adenocarcinoma (12.5% vs. 67.7%). CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma was difficult. Since patients with mucinous invasive adenocarcinoma had a lower response to chemotherapy, aggressive cytoreductive surgery was an effective treatment to improve the prognosis for advanced stage patients. A new chemotherapeutic regimen should be established for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary.

Phase II Study of Irinotecan and Cisplatin as First-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin are singly active against cervical cancer. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of CPT-11 plus cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. Twenty-nine chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer were treated with CPT-11 (60 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, and 15 by intravenous infusion over 90 min, followed by cisplatin (60 mg/m2 i.v.) on day 1 over 90 min. The patients’ median age was 57 years (range 35–75). Nineteen patients (66%) had advanced primary disease. Six patients with recurrent disease (21%) had been treated with prior radiotherapy. The remaining 4 patients (14%) had residual or recurrent disease after radical surgery. The histologic diagnoses were squamous cell carcinoma in 25 patients (87%), adenocarcinoma in 3, and adenosquamous cell carcinoma in 1. All eligible patients were included in the toxicity and response analysis based on the intent to treat. Two patients (7%) achieved a complete response and 15 (52%) a partial response (overall response rate: 59%, 95% confidence interval; 41–74%). Stable disease was recorded in 6 patients (21%) and progressive disease in 3 patients (10%). In 3 patients, image-guided evaluation of response was judged to be unfeasible at the time of independent extramural review (10%). The median time to response was 32 days (range 16–62 days). The median survival was 27.7+ months (range, 6.4–52.8+ months). Two dose-limiting side effects were observed: grade 3 (28%) or 4 (45%) neutropenia and grade 3 (7%) or 4 (7%) diarrhea. Other severe toxicities included anemia (45%), thrombocytopenia (3%), nausea/vomiting (31%), and alopecia (7%). The combination of CPT-11 with cisplatin is an active regimen for treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical cancer albeit with a significant degree of myelosuppression.

A randomized phase III trial of IV carboplatin and paclitaxel × 3 courses followed by observation versus weekly maintenance low-dose paclitaxel in patients with early-stage ovarian carcinoma: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study ☆

OBJECTIVE To compare the recurrence-free interval (RFI) and safety profile in patients with completely resected high-risk early-stage ovarian cancer treated with intravenous (IV) carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without maintenance low-dose paclitaxel for 24 weeks. METHODS Eligibility was limited to patients with stage IA/B (grade 3 or clear cell), all IC or II epithelial ovarian cancer. All patients were to receive carboplatin AUC 6 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m² q3 weeks × 3 courses with random assignment to either observation or maintenance paclitaxel 40 mg/m²/week × 24 weeks. Recurrence required clinical or radiological evidence of new tumor. RESULTS There were 571 patients enrolled onto this study, of whom 29 were deemed ineligible due to inappropriate stage or pathology, leaving 542 patients. At least 3 cycles of treatment were administered to 524/542 (97%) of patients, and among those assigned to maintenance paclitaxel, 80% completed the regimen. The incidence of grade 2 or worse peripheral neuropathy (15.5% vs. 6%), infection/fever (19.9% vs. 8.7%), and dermatologic events (70.8% vs. 52.1%) was higher on the maintenance regimen (p<0.001). The cumulative probability of recurring within 5 years for the maintenance paclitaxel regimen is 20% vs. 23% for surveillance (hazard ratio 0.807; 95% CI: 0.565-1.15). The probability of surviving 5 years was 85.4% and 86.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION Maintenance paclitaxel at 40 mg/m²/week × 24 weeks added to standard dose AUC6 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m² × 3 doses provides no significant increase in RFI.

Phase III randomised controlled trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery vs radical surgery alone for stages IB2, IIA2, and IIB cervical cancer: a Japan Clinical Oncology Group trial (JCOG 0102)

Background:A phase III trial was conducted to determine whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) before radical surgery (RS) improves overall survival.Methods:Patients with stage IB2, IIA2, or IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were randomly assigned to receive either BOMP (bleomycin 7 mg days 1–5, vincristine 0.7 mg m−2 day 5, mitomycin 7 mg m−2 day 5, cisplatin 14 mg m−2 days 1–5, every 3 weeks for 2 to 4 cycles) plus RS (NACT group) or RS alone (RS group). Patients with pathological high-risk factors received postoperative radiotherapy (RT). The primary end point was overall survival.Results:A total of 134 patients were randomly assigned to treatment. This study was prematurely terminated at the first planned interim analysis because overall survival in the NACT group was inferior to that in the RS group. Patients who received postoperative RT were significantly lower in the NACT group (58%) than in the RS group (80%; P=0.015). The 5-year overall survival was 70.0% in the NACT group and 74.4% in the RS group (P=0.85).Conclusion:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with BOMP regimen before RS did not improve overall survival, but reduced the number of patients who received postoperative RT.

Clinical management of atypical polypoid adenomyoma of the uterus. A clinicopathological review of 29 cases.

OBJECTIVE The clinical management of atypical polypoid adenomyoma (APAM) of the uterus remains to be established. We collected APAM cases, reviewed the clinicopathological features, and discussed the clinical management. METHODS Twenty-nine patients with APAM were identified by searching the tumor registry of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG). Clinical information and histological specimens were obtained from 13 institutional members of the JCOG, and a central pathological review was performed. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 38 years (range, 22-58). Squamous metaplasia was present in 19 cases (65.5%), and well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma coexisted in 5 cases (17.2%). Primary treatment consisted of dilatation and curettage in 9 patients (31.0%), vaginal resection in 2 patients (6.9%), hysteroscopic transcervical resection (TCR) using hysteroscopy in 10 patients (34.5%), and hysterectomy in 8 patients (27.6%). There were recurrences in 5 (23.8%) of the 21 cases in which fertility was preserved, and the recurrent rate was 10% (1/10) in patients those were treated with TCR and 36.4% (4/11) in those the other treatment options were selected. All patients were alive after primary treatment (a mean follow-up period was 39.6 months; range, 1-202). CONCLUSION The clinical outcome of APAM is benign. However, differential diagnosis should be performed because of its histological similarity to invasive endometrial carcinoma and the possibility of coexistence with other endometrial neoplasms. TCR is a recommended diagnostic and treatment option for patients who desire to preserve fertility.

Evidence-based guidelines for treatment of uterine body neoplasm in Japan: Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology (JSGO) 2009 edition

Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies in Japan and its incidence has increased recently. Although surgery is the cornerstone of the management of patients with endometrial cancer, there is significant variation in Japan with regard to the type of hysterectomy employed. Additionally, it remains controversial whether full nodal staging is required in all patients. Furthermore, adjuvant therapy differs between Japan and Western countries. To delineate clearly the standard of care for endometrial cancer treatment in Japan, the guidelines for the treatment of endometrial cancer were published in 2006 and revised in 2009. The 2009 edition included topics not addressed in the previous edition including the treatment of mesenchymal tumors, for example leiomyosarcoma, and sections covering the treatment of serous and clear-cell adenocarcinoma. These guidelines are composed of nine chapters and include nine algorithms. The guidelines also contain fifty-one clinical questions (CQs) and each CQ consists of recommendations, background, explanations, and references. The treatment recommendations herein are tailored to reflect current Japanese clinical practice and ensure equitable care for all Japanese women diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

Phase II study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride and nedaplatin followed by radical hysterectomy for bulky stage Ib2 to IIb, cervical squamous cell carcinoma: Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group study (JGOG 1065).

The efficacy and adverse events of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride and nedaplatin were evaluated in patients with bulky stage Ib2 to IIb cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Eligibility included patients who received irinotecan (60 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 and nedaplatin (80 mg/m2) on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. After 1-3 courses of chemotherapy, radical hysterectomy was performed. Sixty-eight patients were enrolled. Sixty-six were included in the full analysis set. Their median age was 47 years (range 22-71), the FIGO stage was Ib2 in 18 patients, IIa in 10, and IIb in 38. Radical hysterectomy was performed after NAC in 63 patients (95.5%). The number of administered courses of NAC was 1 in 13 patients, 2 in 43, and 3 in 10. The response rate, the primary endpoint of this study, was 75.8% (CR in 2 patients, PR in 48, SD in 12, PD in 0, and NE in 4). The mean number of treatment courses required for a response was 1.42 (1 course in 30 patients, 2 courses in 19, and 3 courses in 1). The incidences of grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities were: neutropenia 72.2%, leukopenia 16.7%, anemia 13.6%, thrombocytopenia 7.6%, febrile neutropenia 1.5%, and elevations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase 1.5%. Grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic toxicities were as follows: diarrhea 6.1%, nausea 3%, anorexia 1.5%, vomiting 1.5%, fever 1.5%, allergic reactions 1.5%, ileus 1.5% and vesicovaginal fistula 1.5%. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with irinotecan and nedaplatin was an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with bulky stage Ib2 to IIb squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

New Terminology for Intrauterine Endometrial Samples: A Group Study by the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of endometrial cytology obtained by intrauterine sample using a descriptive reporting format for endometrial cytological diagnosis. Study Design: 10,152 consecutive endometrial scrapings obtained in 13 different Japanese hospitals were analyzed. Cytological results were classified as ‘negative for malignancy’, ‘atypical endometrial cells’ (ATEC), ‘endometrial hyperplasia’, ‘atypical endometrial hyperplasia’ or ‘malignant tumor’. ATEC was subclassified as ‘ATEC, of undetermined significance’ (ATEC-US) and ‘ATEC, cannot exclude atypical endometrial hyperplasia or more’ (ATEC-A). Cytological results were compared with the histological diagnosis as a gold standard. When the cytological result was ‘negative for malignancy’ and there was no subsequent histological examination, the case was considered a true negative when the endometrium was assessed as normal on transvaginal ultrasonography and there was no abnormal uterine bleeding. Results: 1,083 cases in which histology was not performed, 557 cases of ‘unsatisfactory specimen’ and 76 cases of ATEC-US were excluded. In the remaining 8,436 cases, the sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for detecting atypical endometrial hyperplasia or malignant tumors were 79.0 and 99.7, 92.9 and 98.9%, respectively. Conclusion: The current diagnostic standards for endometrial cytology in Japan were established. Specificity is satisfactory for excluding cancer or precancerous diseases.

Long-term survival in patients with para-aortic lymph node metastasis with systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in endometrial carcinoma.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to assess modified radical hysterectomy including systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with para-aortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis in endometrial carcinoma and to identify the multivariate independent prognostic factors for long-term survival during the past 10 years. Methods: Between December 1987 and December 2002, we performed modified radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy including systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and peritoneal cytology in 284 endometrial carcinoma patients according to the classification of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (stage IA, n = 66; stage IB, n = 96; stage IC, n = 33; stage IIA, n = 5; stage IIB, n = 20; stage IIIA, n = 28; stage IIIC, n = 28; and stage IV, n = 8) who gave informed consents at our institute. Patients with tumor confined to the uterus (stages IC and II) were treated by 3 courses of cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, epirubicin 50 mg/m2, and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 regimen 3 to 4 weeks apart, and patients with extrauterine lesions involving adnexa and/or pelvic lymph node (PLN) were treated by 5 courses. In addition, 10 courses were given to patients with PAN metastasis. Patients with PLN metastasis received adjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant radiation was not part of our institutional protocol. For multivariate regression modeling with proportional hazards, the regression model of Cox was used. Survival curves were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and analysis of the differences was performed by the log-rank test. Results: The overall incidence of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis assessed by systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was 12.0% (34/284) in stages I to IV endometrial carcinoma, and incidences of PLN and PAN metastases were 9.2% (26/284) and 7.4% (21/284), respectively. However, PAN metastasis rate is 50% (13/26) in patients with PLN metastasis. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors revealed that International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics clinical stage (P < 0.0001), histological finding (P = 0.0292), myometrial invasion (P < 0.0001), adnexal metastasis (P < 0.0001), lymphovascular space invasion (P < 0.0001), tumor diameter (P = 0.0108), peritoneal cytology (P = 0.0001), and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with 10-year overall survival. Survival was not associated with age (P = 0.1558) or cervical involvement (P = 0.1828). A multivariate analysis showed that adnexal metastasis (P = 0.0418) and lymphovascular space invasion (P = 0.0214) were significantly associated with 10-year overall survival. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates in patients with negative PAN were 96% and 93% versus 72% and 62% in patients with positive PAN (P = 0.006). Conclusions: It is suggested that surgery with systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy could improve long-term survival in patients with PAN metastasis, although there are only 21 patients with PAN metastasis.

Adenoid basal carcinoma of the uterine cervix : Report of two cases with reference to adenosquamous carcinoma

Adenoid basal carcinoma (ABC) of the uterine cervix is a rare neoplasm with excellent prognosis. Differential diagnosis between ABC and an ABC‐like lesion of adenosquamous cell carcinoma (ASC) of the cervix is important due to their contrasting prognosis. Reported herein are two cases of ABC that have been compared with seven ASC exhibiting ABC‐like lesions from approximately 2600 resected uterine cervical malignancies diagnosed at Shikoku Cancer Center. The two ABC were incidentally found in the uterine cervix of 69‐year‐old and 59‐year‐old Japanese women due to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and to squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. The ABC consisted of infiltrating nests of basaloid cells with low nuclear atypia. The patients remained alive without recurrence for 9 years and 18 months, respectively. An ABC‐like lesion was defined as basaloid cell nests simulating ABC, but with some features indicating malignant potential. However, the differential diagnosis was sometimes difficult because two of seven ABC‐like lesions were originally diagnosed as ABC. Immunohistochemically, cytokeratin 7 was negative for the basaloid cells of two ABC, but positive for six of six ABC‐like lesions of ASC, while cytokeratin 8 was positive for both ABC and ASC. This cytokeratin pattern might provide a good tool for distinguishing between ABC and an ABC‐like lesion of ASC when the histological findings are equivocal.