Seung-Hyuk Shim

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on the rate of recurrence in endometrial cancer survivors: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND To quantify the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the recurrence in endometrial cancer (EC) survivors through a meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted through October 2013 and included studies reporting estimates of effect size for the relationship between HRT use and the risk of EC recurrence. Study design features that may affect the selection of participants, the detection of EC recurrence and manuscript publication were assessed. If there was no significant statistical heterogeneity across studies, then a fixed effects model was used to obtain pooled estimates for the effect of HRT use on EC recurrence by combining study-specific estimates of the odds ratio (OR). RESULTS One randomised trial and five observational studies included 896 EC survivors who used HRT and 1079 non-users. Over the combined study period, 19 of the 896 HRT users experienced recurrence, whereas 64 of the 1079 controls did. The meta-analysis based on the fixed effects model indicates no significant increase in the risk of recurrence in EC survivors using HRT relative to the control group (OR: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.30-0.96, I(2)=49.0). This pattern was also observed in the subgroup analysis for the stage and type of HRT. There was no evidence of any publication bias. CONCLUSIONS Although based mainly on observational studies, the literature does not provide support for a positive relationship between HRT use and the risk of EC recurrence. Future research should verify this relationship through randomised controlled trials over a longer term.

Metabolic tumour volume and total lesion glycolysis, measured using preoperative 18F–FDG PET/CT, predict the recurrence of endometrial cancer

To investigate the prognostic value of metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), measured by preoperative positron emission tomography and computerised tomography (PET/CT), in women with endometrial cancer.

Laparoscopic management of early-stage malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumors: surgical and survival outcomes.

Objective Laparoscopic management in patients with malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumors (MNEOTs) was unpopular owing to the solid nature and relatively large size of the tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of laparoscopy for MNEOTs. Methods Between January 1989 and September 2010, 28 patients with MNEOTs underwent laparoscopic surgery at our institution. These patients’ clinicopathologic data were retrospectively reviewed from medical records. Results Cases included 20 sex cord–stromal tumors (18 granulosa cell and 2 Sertoli-Leydig cell) and 8 malignant germ cell tumors (4 dysgerminomas, 2 immature teratomas, 1 choriocarcinoma, and 1 yolk sac tumor). The patients’ median age was 27 years (range, 16–35 years) for those with malignant germ cell tumors and 42 years (range, 7–57 years) for those with stromal tumors. The median primary tumor diameter was 10.4 cm (range, 3.3–20.8 cm). Laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissections were performed in 9 cases. Laparoscopic removal of primary tumor and omentectomy were performed in 26 and 6 cases, respectively. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery was performed for one huge tumor that could not be entered into the endobag. The median operating time was 102 minutes (range, 45–300 minutes), and the median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2–10 days). All patients had stage I disease. Five patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and the median interval to chemotherapy was 14 days (range, 2–21 days). No intraoperative complication or conversion to laparotomy was observed. Only one postoperative febrile morbidity occurred. The median follow-up was 34.5 months (1–185 months). One patient developed recurrence, which was treated with chemotherapy. No patient died of their disease. Conclusion This is the first case series report of laparoscopic surgery for MNEOTs. Laparoscopic management seems feasible and safe without compromising survival. With additional evidence, laparoscopic surgery could be a safe therapeutic option for management of early-stage MNEOTs.

Preoperative nomogram for the identification of lymph node metastasis in early cervical cancer

Background:The objective of this study is to construct a preoperative nomogram predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early-cervical cancer patients.Methods:Between 2009 and 2012, 493 early-cervical cancer patients received hysterectomy and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Patients who were diagnosed during 2009–2010 were assigned to a model-development cohort (n=304) and the others were assigned to a validation cohort (n=189). A multivariate logistic model was created from preoperative clinicopathologic data, from which a nomogram was developed and validated. A predicted probability of LNM<5% was defined as low risk.Results:Age, tumour size assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and LNM assessed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography were independent predictors of nodal metastasis. The nomogram incorporating these three predictors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (concordance index=0.878; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.833−0.917). In the validation cohort, the discrimination accuracy was 0.825 (95% CI, 0.736−0.895). In the model-development cohort, 34% of them were classified as low risk and negative predictive value (NPV) was 99.0%. In the validation cohort, 38% were identified as low risk and NPV was 95.8%. Integrating the model-development and validation cohorts, negative likelihood ratio was 0.094 (95% CI, 0.036−0.248).Conclusion:A robust nomogram predicting LNM in early cervical cancer was developed. This model may improve clinical trial design and help physicians to decide whether lymphadenectomy should be performed.

Risk assessment model for overall survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE To develop a nomogram for predicting the probability of 5year survival after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). METHODS Between 1998 and 2008, 209 patients with LACC were treated with definitive CCRT. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed. A nomogram based on this Cox model was developed and internally validated by bootstrapping. Its performance was assessed by using the concordance index and a calibration curve. RESULTS The median age was 55years (range, 26-78). Of the patients, 9, 16, 129, 3, 42 and 10 had FIGO stage IB2, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and IVA disease, respectively. Histology revealed that 190, 13, 4, and 2 patients had squamous, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous, and small cell cervical cancer, respectively. In 91 patients, PET/CT was performed before CCRT. The median follow-up period was 51months (range, 6-151) and there were 50 (23.9%) disease-related deaths. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that histology, tumor size, and paraaortic lymph node metastasis (defined by MRI), but not PET/CT before CCRT, were independent predictors of overall survival. A nomogram for predicting the 5year survival incorporating these three significant variables was constructed. The concordance index was 0.69. The predictive ability of the nomogram proved to be superior to that of the FIGO staging system (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The nomogram was a better predictive model for overall survival than the FIGO staging system. If externally validated, it could be used to counsel patients with LACC who must choose additional treatment modalities after definitive CCRT.

Nomogram for predicting incomplete cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer patients

OBJECTIVE Accurately predicting cytoreducibility in advanced-ovarian cancer is needed to establish preoperative plans, consider neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and improve clinical trial protocols. We aimed to develop a positron-emission tomography/computed tomography-based nomogram for predicting incomplete cytoreduction in advanced-ovarian cancer patients. METHODS Between 2006 and 2012, 343 consecutive advanced-ovarian cancer patients underwent positron-emission tomography/computed tomography before primary cytoreduction: 240 and 103 patients were assigned to the model development or validation cohort, respectively. After reviewing the detailed surgical documentation, incomplete cytoreduction was defined as a remaining gross residual tumor. We evaluated each individual surgeons surgical aggressiveness index (number of high-complex surgeries/total number of surgeries). Possible predictors, including surgical aggressiveness index and positron-emission tomography/computed tomography features, were analyzed using logistic regression modeling. A nomogram based on this model was developed and externally validated. RESULTS Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 120 patients (35%). Surgical aggressiveness index and five positron-emission tomography/computed tomography features were independent predictors of incomplete cytoreduction. Our nomogram predicted incomplete cytoreduction by incorporating these variables and demonstrated good predictive accuracy (concordance index = 0.881; 95% CI = 0.838-0.923). The predictive accuracy of our validation cohort was also good (concordance index = 0.881; 95% CI = 0.790-0.932) and the predicted probability was close to the actual observed outcome. Our model demonstrated good performance across surgeons with varying degrees of surgical aggressiveness. CONCLUSION We have developed and validated a nomogram for predicting incomplete cytoreduction in advanced-ovarian cancer patients which may help stratify patients for clinical trials, establish meticulous preoperative plans, and determine if neoadjuvant chemotherapy is warranted.

Impact of surgical staging on prognosis in patients with borderline ovarian tumours: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND To quantify the effect of complete surgical staging (CSS) on prognosis in borderline ovarian tumour (BOT) patients through a meta-analysis. METHODS We systematically reviewed published studies comparing CSS with incomplete surgical staging (ISS) in BOT patients through April 2015. End-points were recurrence and mortality rates. Study design features that possibly affected participant selection, recurrence/death detection, and manuscript publication were assessed. For pooled estimates of the effect of CSS on recurrence/death, random- or fixed-effects meta-analytical models were used after assessing cross-study heterogeneity. RESULTS Eighteen observational studies (CSS, 1297 patients; ISS, 1473 patients) met our search criteria. Fixed-effects model-based meta-analysis indicated a reduced recurrence risk among CSS patients (odds ratio [OR]=0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.87, P < 0.05, I(2) = 25.6). However, no significant between-group difference in mortality was observed (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.42-2.29, P = 0.97, I(2) = 0). In subgroup analysis by histology, CSS was associated with a reduced recurrence risk in 16 studies of all histologic types (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48-0.91, P < 0.05, I(2) = 31.9) but not in two studies of only mucinous disease (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.13-1.30, P = 0.13, I(2) = 0). In subgroup analyses with four studies with recurrence data according to fertility-sparing surgery, no significant association was found (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.18-1.43, P = 0.20, I(2) = 0). There was no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS In this meta-analysis based on observational studies, CSS appeared to significantly reduce recurrence among BOT patients. No survival impact was observed. Longer-term randomised controlled trials could verify this relationship but appear infeasible for this rare tumour.

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is a risk factor for 30-day morbidity after gynecological malignancy surgery.

Objective To determine the relationship between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and the development of complications after gynecological cancer surgery, as well as postoperative bowel function and hospital stay. Methods The medical records of 533 patients with gynecological cancer surgery at Konkuk University Hospital between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. Serum albumin level <3.5 g/dL was defined as hypoalbuminemia. All perioperative complications within 30-days after surgery, time to resumption of normal diet and length of postoperative hospital stay, were analyzed. Regression models were used to assess predictors of postoperative morbidity. Results The median age was 49 years (range, 13 to 85 years). Eighty patients (15%) had hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemic patients had significantly higher consumption of alcohol >2 standard drinks per day, lower American Society of Anesthesiologist score, higher frequency of ascites, and more advanced stage compared with non-hypoalbuminemic patients. Overall complication rate within 30-days after surgery was 20.3% (108 out of 533). Hypoalbuminemic patients were more likely to develop postoperative complications compared to non-hypoalbuminemic patients (34.3% vs. 17.8%, P=0.022), and had significantly longer median time to resumption of normal diet (3.3 [1-6] vs. 2.8 [0-15] days, P=0.005) and length of postoperative hospital stay (0 [7-50] vs. 9 [1-97] days, P=0.014). In multivariate analysis, age >50 (odds ratio [OR], 2.478; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.310 to 4.686; P=0.005), operation time (OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.009; P=0.006), and hypoalbuminemia (OR, 2.367; 95% CI, 1.021 to 5.487; P=0.044) were the significant risk factor for postoperative complications. Conclusion Preoperative hypoalbuminemia in patients with elective surgery for gynecologic malignancy is an independent predictor of 30-days postoperative complications. Identification of this subset and preoperative optimization of nutritional status may improve surgical outcomes.

Nationwide cervical cancer screening in Korea: data from the National Health Insurance Service Cancer Screening Program and National Cancer Screening Program, 2009–2014

Objective The rates of participation in the Korean nationwide cervical cancer screening program and the rates of abnormal test results were determined. Methods The database of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) was used during the study period (2009–2014). Results The participation rate increased from 41.10% in 2009 to 51.52% in 2014 (annual percentage change, 4.126%; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.253–6.034). During the study period, women ≥70 years of age had the lowest rate of participation (range, 21.7%–31.9%) and those 30–39 years of age the second-lowest (27.7%–44.9%). The participation rates of National Health Insurance beneficiaries (range, 48.6%–52.5%) were higher than those of Medical Aid Program (MAP) recipients (29.6%–33.2%). The rates of abnormal results were 0.65% in 2009 and 0.52% in 2014, with a decreasing tendency in all age groups except the youngest (30–39 years). Every year the abnormal result rates tended to decrease with age, from the age groups of 30–39 years to 60–69 years but increased in women ≥70 years of age. The ratio of patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance compared with those with squamous intraepithelial lesions increased from 2.71 in 2009 to 4.91 in 2014. Conclusion Differences related to age and occurring over time were found in the rates of participation and abnormal results. Further efforts are needed to encourage participation in cervical cancer screening, especially for MAP recipients, elderly women and women 30–39 years of age. Quality control measures for cervical cancer screening programs should be enforced consistently.

Semi‐quantitative HPV viral load in patients with ASC‐US cytology: viral load correlates strongly with the presence of CIN but only weakly with its severity

This study was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) viral load, expressed in relative light units (RLUs), in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) cytology.