Reem Abdallah

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Individuals Presenting for Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Purpose: To define the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in individuals presenting for care at a comprehensive cancer center. Patients and Methods: A total of 17 639 individuals presenting to an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (and consortium sites) completed a questionnaire regarding CAM use. Data were analyzed using the univariate χ2 test to assess CAM use associated with a number of variables, including cancer status, age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, race, employment, and education level. Results: Eighty-seven percent of individuals who completed the CAM survey acknowledged CAM therapy use within the previous 12 months. Of the 5 broad categories of CAM, the most commonly used were biologically based approaches (14 759/17 639 [83.67%]), mind-body interventions (4624/17 485 [26.45%]), manipulative and body-based therapies (3957/17 537 [22.56%]), alternative medical systems (429/15 952 [2.69%]), and energy therapies (270/15 872 [1.7%]). CAM use was more prevalent among women, non-Hispanics, Caucasians, patients 60 to 69 years of age, and those who are married, have a higher level of education, and are employed (P < .005). Conclusions: This is the largest report of CAM use in individuals presenting for care at a comprehensive cancer center. Our analysis revealed that a very high percentage of patients utilize CAM. Because many of these CAM interventions are not studied in oncology patients, additional research on safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action are essential. Furthermore, it is important that oncologists understand CAM modalities and counsel their patients about their use.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Women With Gynecologic Malignancy Presenting for Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Objective We evaluated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among women presenting to a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with a gynecologic malignancy. Methods Women with a gynecologic malignancy who had consented to enrollment in our institutional prospective clinical registry between January 2003 and January 2014 and who had completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, medical histories, quality of life, and CAM use were considered for analysis. Results Among the 2508 women identified, responses to questions on CAM use were provided by 534 (21.3%). The majority of CAM question respondents were white (93.5%) and older than 50 years (76%). Overall, 464 women (87% of CAM question respondents) used at least 1 CAM therapy during the previous 12 months. The most commonly used CAM categories were biologically based approaches (83.5%), mind and body interventions (30.6%), and manipulative and body-based therapies (18.8%). The most commonly used individual CAM therapies were vitamins and minerals (78%), herbal supplements (27.9%), spiritual healing and prayer (15.1%), and deep breathing relaxation exercises (13.1%). Complementary and alternative medicine use was greatest in age groups 20 to 30 years and older than 65 years and was more prevalent among those who were widowed (P < 0.005), retired (P = 0.02), and with a higher level of education (P < 0.01). There was no association with cancer type, race, or ethnicity. Conclusions Complementary and alternative medicine use is common among women being treated for gynecologic malignancy. Given the potential interactions of some CAM modalities with conventional treatment and the possible benefits in controlling symptoms and improving quality of life, providers should discuss CAM with their patients.

Prediction of Optimal Cytoreductive Surgery of Serous Ovarian Cancer With Gene Expression Data.

Objectives Cytoreductive surgery is the cornerstone of ovarian cancer (OVCA) treatment. Detractors of initial maximal surgical effort argue that aggressive tumor biology will dictate survival, not the surgical effort. We investigated the role of biology in achieving optimal cytoreduction in serous OVCA using microarray gene expression analysis. Methods For the initial model, we used a gene expression signature from a microarray expression analysis of 124 women with serous OVCA, defining optimal cytoreduction as removal of all disease greater than 1 cm (with 64 women having optimal and 60 suboptimal cytoreduction). We then applied this model to 2 independent data sets: the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS; 190 samples) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; 468 samples). We performed a second analysis, defining optimal cytoreduction as removal of all disease to microscopic residual, using data from AOCS to create the gene signature and validating results in TCGA data set. Results Of the 12,718 genes included in the initial analysis, 58 predicted accuracy of cytoreductive surgery 69% of the time (P = 0.005). The performance of this classifier, measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, was 73%. When applied to TCGA and AOCS, accuracy was 56% (P = 0.16) and 62% (P = 0.01), respectively, with performance at 57% and 65%, respectively. In the second analysis, 220 genes predicted accuracy of cytoreductive surgery in the AOCS set 74% of the time, with performance of 73%. When these results were validated in TCGA set, accuracy was 57% (P = 0.31) and performance was at 62%. Conclusion Gene expression data, used as a proxy of tumor biology, do not predict accurately nor consistently the ability to perform optimal cytoreductive surgery. Other factors, including surgical effort, may also explain part of the model. Additional studies integrating more biological and clinical data may improve the prediction model.

Therapeutic Dilemma: Prognostic Factors and Outcome for Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Cervix

Objectives The aim of this study was to review treatment and outcomes for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the cervix at a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Materials and Methods Data for women with NET of the cervix treated at our institution, since 1999, were collected. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed with respect to age, tumor size, tobacco use, lymph node status, stage of disease, and type of treatment. Results Among 18 patients (median age, 44 years), 9 (50%) had tumors larger than 5 cm and advanced-stage disease (IB2-IV). Seven recurrences were noted (39%). Median PFS was not reached, and median OS was 72.2 months. Surgery was the only factor significantly associated with both PFS and OS (3-year PFS, 90% vs 30%, P = 0.01; 3-year OS: 89% vs 18%, P = 0.019). Age 40 years or younger and absence of lymph node metastases correlated significantly with PFS, with a trend toward improved OS. Recurrences were less likely with stage IA to IB1 compared with stages IB2 to IVA and IVB (hazards ratio, 0.33; P = 0.054), with median OS of 72.2, 19.2, and 7.4 months, respectively (P = 0.002). Although patients with tumors 4 cm or smaller had better outcomes, this factor did not reach statistical significance. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tobacco use were not associated with survival. Conclusions Neuroendocrine tumors of the cervix present at a relatively young age, with bulky tumors and advanced-stage disease. Surgery, younger age, smaller tumor size, early stage, and absence of lymph node involvement seem to be associated with improved survival. Nonetheless, optimal management is yet to be determined, and multimodality treatment is advocated.

Primary peritoneal carcinoma presenting as a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule: A case report and review of the literature

Sister Mary Josephs nodule is sometimes the first sign of an internal malignancy, including gastrointestinal, gynecological, or malignancy of unknown primary. It is rarely the sole presentation of a primary peritoneal cancer. In this report, we present the case of a 70-year-old female with umbilical drainage and a computed tomography scan consistent with solitary umbilical nodule. Excision of the nodule revealed adenocarcinoma of likely müllerian origin. Surgical staging did not show any evidence of malignancy with the exception of pelvic washings. She was considered to have primary peritoneal adenocarcinoma and was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Association between endometrial cancer risk classification and gene expression in the cancer genome atlas database.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate if gene expression can differentiate endometrial cancer risk classification based on GOG 99 study in The Cancer Genome Atlas patients. METHODS: Gene expression was extracted from 271 endometrioid endometrial cancer samples in the TCGA database. Patients were stratified to high risk, high intermediate risk, and low or low intermediate risk based on clinicopathologic parameters from GOG 99. Genes differentially expressed between the classes at univariate significance level of less than .001 were included in the gene signature. RESULTS: There were 167 patients in the low-risk group, 81 patients in the high intermediate-risk group, and 23 patients in the high-risk group in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. GOG 99 risk classification and FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage were independently significant for survival in the multivariate analysis (P<.001). A total of 18,048 genes were included in the initial analysis. Four hundred forty-six genes classified high risk, high intermediate risk, and low or low intermediate risk subgroup individually (P=.01) with an accuracy of 58% and a &kgr; coefficient of 0.32. When combining high-risk and high intermediate-risk groups, the gene signature compared with low-risk patients included 608 genes (P=.01) with an accuracy of 69% and a &kgr; coefficient of 0.36 (area under the curve 0.69), closer to the values of the gene signature including only low-risk compared with high-risk patients (accuracy 81%, &kgr; 0.33, area under the curve 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Gene expression analysis could differentiate risk groups in endometrioid endometrial cancer. The gene signature grouping high intermediate risk and high risk compared with low risk seems to be more accurate than using all three risk groups. This gene signature may help to identify higher risk patients with endometrial cancer before surgery.

Gene Expression and Prediction of Complete Cytoreduction in Ovarian Cancer

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of microarray gene expression analysis in predicting the feasibility of complete cytoreduction in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Microarray expression of 507 women with ovarian cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas was initially analyzed and a gene expression signature created. Complete cytoreduction was defined as removal of all tumors with no macroscopic residual disease. The model was applied to the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study data set with 216 ovarian cancer samples. RESULTS: One hundred fifteen women had complete cytoreduction in The Cancer Genome Atlas data set with significantly higher 5-year overall survival as compared with the 392 women with macroscopic residual disease (P<.001). A total of 12,718 genes were analyzed; 142 predicted accuracy of complete cytoreduction 69% of the time (P=.02). The model was more precise in predicting incomplete cytoreduction with macroscopic residual tumor with a sensitivity of 82% and a positive predictive value of 78%. The performance, measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 63%. When applied to the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study set, with 58 women with complete cytoreduction and 158 with macroscopic residual, the accuracy was 72% (P<.019) and it was still more sensitive predicting incomplete cytoreduction with a sensitivity of 83% and a positive predictive value of 79%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 68%. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis stresses again on the importance of complete cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer to microscopic disease and shows that gene expression analysis might have a role in predicting patients who are not amenable to complete cytoreduction and thus would have shorter survival.