Shuji Takemoto

Expression of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 predicts poor prognosis in cervical squamous-cell carcinoma

Background:Stat3 is a member of the Janus-activated kinase/STAT signalling pathway. It normally resides in the cytoplasm and can be activated through phosphorylation. Activated Stat3 (p-Stat3) translocates to the nucleus to activate the transcription of several molecules involved in cell survival and proliferation. The constitutive activation of Stat3 has been shown in various types of malignancies, and its expression has been reported to indicate a poor prognosis. However, the correlation between the constitutive activation of Stat3 and the prognosis of cervical cancer patients has not been reported.Methods:The immunohistochemical analysis of p-Stat3 expression was performed on tissues from 125 cervical squamous-cell carcinoma patients who underwent extended hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, and the association of p-Stat3 expression with several clinicopathological factors and survival was investigated.Results:Positive p-Stat3 expression was observed in 71 of 125 (56.8%) cases and was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, lymph vascular space invasion, and large tumour diameter (>4 cm) by Fishers exact test. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that p-Stat3 expression was statistically indicative of a poor prognosis for overall survival (P=0.006) and disease-free survival (P=0.010) by log-rank test.Conclusion:These data showed that p-Stat3 expression in cervical cancer acts as a predictor of poor prognosis.

Cap43/NDRG1/Drg-1 is a molecular target for angiogenesis and a prognostic indicator in cervical adenocarcinoma.

Cap43 is a nickel- and calcium-inducible gene that plays important roles in the primary growth of malignant tumors, as well as in invasion and metastasis, most likely through its ability to induce cellular differentiation. This study investigated associations of Cap43 expression with angiogenesis and other clinicopathological factors in cervical adenocarcinoma. The clinical records of 100 women who underwent surgery for cervical adenocarcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Microvessel density and the expression of Cap43 and VEGF in the surgical specimens were evaluated immunohistochemically. The Cap43 expression level was significantly associated with angiogenesis, tumor diameter, stromal invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, lymph node metastasis, and histopathological differentiation. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant association between the Cap43 expression level and survival: high Cap43 expression was related to poor survival. Our results suggest that increased expression of Cap43 is associated with angiogenesis and may be a poor prognostic indicator in women with cervical adenocarcinoma.

Validity of intraoperative diagnosis at laparoscopic surgery for ovarian tumors.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of intraoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumor during laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS We reviewed the cases of 262 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery at our institution between January 2005 and December 2011 in whom a benign ovarian tumor was diagnosed intraoperatively. INTERVENTIONS Intraoperative pathologic assessment of frozen sections. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Intraoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors demonstrated sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 99.6%, positive predictive value of 80%, and diagnostic accuracy of 99.2%. Mucinous tumors diagnosed intraoperatively showed differing intraoperative and final pathologic diagnoses significantly more frequently than did other types of tumors. CONCLUSION Intraoperative pathologic assessment of benign ovarian tumors during laparoscopic surgery is reliable. However, clinicians should recognize that it is possible to make an incorrect diagnosis in some situations and should exercise caution accordingly.

Polypoid endocervical adenomyoma: A case report with clinicopathologic analyses

A case of polypoid endocervical adenomyoma (PEA) in the uterine cervix was encountered in the uterine cervix of a 56‐year‐old woman. Grossly, a well‐circumscribed polypoid tumor was observed protruding from the uterine cervix. Based on the findings of imaging studies, it was assumed to be an adenoma malignum in the uterine cervix. The tumor was composed of a mixture of proliferating glands of endocervical type and fascicles of smooth muscle. No distinct nuclear anaplasia, architectural abnormality or any evidence of destructive stromal invasion was observed. Adenoma malignum, which shows a gastric phenotype with immunoreactivity for HIK‐1083, was a serious diagnostic possibility. In the present case, the tumor was a well‐circumscribed polypoid lesion, with no cytologic or architectural abnormality; however, focal immunoreactivity was shown for HIK‐1083, which thus suggested it to be PEA. Therefore, the results of these ancillary diagnostic modalities should be interpreted with caution and combined with the gross and light microscopy findings.

Fetomaternal hemorrhage with intraplacental chorioangioma

A 37‐year‐old Asian woman, gravid 0 para 0, was admitted to our hospital at 34 weeks and 5 days of her pregnancy for management of preeclampsia. A few days after admission, she recognized diminished fetal movement, and a non‐stress test revealed a non‐reassuring fetal heart rate pattern with decreased variability. A female baby weighing 1840 g was delivered by emergency cesarean section with Apgar scores of 5 and 5 at 1 and 5 min, respectively. Significant neonatal anemia with a hemoglobin level of 4.3 g/dL was observed. The elevated level of hemoglobin F (HbF) in the maternal blood accounted for 4.6% (normal ≦ 0.5%), and was indicative of the presence of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH). Microscopic examination of the placenta revealed chorioangioma. We report here a rare case of FMH with intraplacental chorioangioma, and discuss the relationship between these two pathologies.

Prevention of lymphocele development in gynecologic cancers by the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device.

Objective A number of new techniques have been developed to prevent lymphocele formation after pelvic lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancers. We assessed whether the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device (EBVSD) could decrease the incidence of postoperative lymphocele secondary to pelvic lymphadenectomy. Methods A total of 321 patients with gynecologic cancer underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy from 2005 to 2011. Pelvic lymphadenectomy without EBVSD was performed in 134 patients, and pelvic lymphadenectomy with EBVSD was performed in 187 patients. We retrospectively compared the incidence of lymphocele and symptoms between both groups. Results Four to 8 weeks after operation, 108 cases of lymphocele (34%) were detected by computed tomography scan examination. The incidence of lymphocele after pelvic lymphadenectomy was 56% (75/134) in the tie ligation group, and 18% (33/187) in the EBVSD group. We found a statistically significant difference in the incidence of lymphocele between both groups (p<0.01). To detect the independent risk factor for lymphocele development, we performed multivariate analysis with logistic regression for three variables (device, number of dissected lymph nodes, and operation time). Among these variables, we found a significant difference (p<0.001) for only one device. Conclusion Use of the EBVSD during gynecological cancer operation is useful for preventing the development of lymphocele secondary to pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the vagina successfully treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel and carboplatin

Primary vaginal adenocarcinoma unassociated with antenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure is extremely rare. The strategy for treating this disease has not yet been established due to its rarity and, therefore, the prognosis remains poor. A 69‐year‐old woman presented with vaginal bleeding but no history of antenatal DES exposure. She had a solid tumor in the recto‐vaginal space, diagnosed as FIGO stage III vaginal adenocarcinoma. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel and carboplatin, the tumor became undetectable. Thereafter, radiotherapy was applied to the pelvis and vagina in order to reinforce the state of remission. The patient remains free from recurrence 1 year after discharge. The present case was successfully treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, suggesting that chemotherapy may be an option for the treatment of this type of tumor.

Controversies surrounding type III radical abdominal hysterectomy and its procedure using new instruments

Type III radical abdominal hysterectomy (RAH) is standard care for early stage cervical cancer. For the past few decades, there has been a remarkable shift from surgery to radiation, in the treatment choice for stage 1b2 and 2b cervical cancer in Japan. It is still controversial, however because some of those cases recommended RAH as a suitable treatment strategy. About 8% to 10% of RAH are abandoned because of tumor status. Recent preoperative screening cannot always detect them preoperatively. Various kinds of new surgical instruments, such as bipolar scissors and the electro vessel sealing system LigaSure have contributed to reducing the operation time and blood loss, in performing RAH. Furthermore, various kinds of devices are on the market. Surgeons should choose suitable instruments depending on the state of the disease and the patient.