Thomas J. Cade

Progestogen treatment options for early endometrial cancer

Please cite this paper as: Cade T, Quinn M, Rome R, Neesham D. Progestogen treatment options for early endometrial cancer. BJOG 2010;117:879–884.

Laparoscopic transabdominal cervical cerclage: A 6-year experience

Cervical cerclage has been used as a treatment for cervical insufficiency for over 60 years. Transabdominal cerclage is indicated for cervical insufficiency not amenable to a transvaginal procedure, or following previous failed vaginal cerclage. A laparoscopic approach to abdominal cerclage offers the potential to reduce the morbidity associated with laparotomy.

Predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: is radiological staging sufficient for planning conservative treatment?

Objectives: There has been an increasing interest in accurately assessing tumors preoperatively to plan appropriate surgery or, in some low-risk patients, conservative treatment. We wish to determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer and whether it is a safe and suitable tool for planning conservative treatment. Materials and Methods: We compared MRI scans and final histopathologic diagnoses of 111 patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma over a 6-year period at a major tertiary centre. Data were analyzed collectively and according to histological differentiation and types of MRI scans (1.5 vs 3 T). Outcomes were presence versus absence of myometrial invasion and recently revised International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA (up to 50% myometrial invasion) versus deep invasion. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging had a high negative predictive value for the presence of deep invasion (87% overall and 95% for grade 1 disease). However, although the positive predictive value for the presence of any myometrial invasion was high, negative predictive values were poor (35% for all grades and 46% for grade 1). There was no difference between 1.5- and 3-T scanning. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging is a suitable screening tool for the presence of stage IA disease under the newly revised International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system. The significance of this finding will depend on whether clinicians are willing to treat all grade 1 stage IA disease (under the revised system) as low risk and to deem selected patients in this group suitable for more conservative treatment.

Should the spot albumin-to-creatinine ratio replace the spot protein-to-creatinine ratio as the primary screening tool for proteinuria in pregnancy?

OBJECTIVES To determine the correlation between the spot albumin-to-creatinine (ACR) ratio and protein-to-creatinine ratio (PCR) in pregnancy and if either test is predictive of adverse pregnancy outcome. STUDY DESIGN Prospective consecutive cohort study in a single tertiary centre examining 181 patients undergoing proteinuria screening after 20weeks of pregnancy. A spot PCR and ACR was performed on the first void of the day. Comparison was with linear and logistic regression and ROC curve. Optimal values for the ACR were obtained and compared to a PCR value of 30mg/mmol with respect to adverse pregnancy outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Birth weight <10th centile, preterm birth <32 and <37weeks, placental abruption, caesarean section, induction of labour, fetal death in utero or neonatal death, Apgar score <5 at 1min and/or 5min, pulmonary oedema, sustained blood pressure >170/110mmHg, magnesium infusion or labetalol infusion during labour. RESULTS 254 tests were performed. The ACR and PCR were highly correlated (r=0.95, p<0.001) and the area under ROC curve was 0.98. An ACR of 13.4mg/mmol corresponded to a PCR of 30mg/mmol. Neither was more predictive of adverse pregnancy outcome nor was the level of proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS The ACR is not inferior to nor does it perform better than the PCR in screening for proteinuria in pregnancy. Clinicians should use the test with which they are more familiar and may wish to assess local laboratory costs and methods in their selection.

Long‐term outcomes after progestogen treatment for early endometrial cancer

For select women with early endometrial cancer, particularly nulliparous women, nonsurgical options may be considered. There is increasing experience using progestogens, but little is known about the long‐term outcomes and safety of such treatment.

Macrosomia Rates in Women with Diet-Controlled Gestational Diabetes: A Retrospective Study

Background Current data on the rates of macrosomia in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are heterogenous. No study has specifically examined macrosomia rates in women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes. Aims To compare the rates of macrosomia between mothers with diet-controlled GDM to mothers without diabetes mellitus. Methods A retrospective study in which all patients with diet-controlled GDM and singleton pregnancies in 2014 were considered for inclusion in the study. These cases were individually matched to mothers without GDM and without type 1 or 2 diabetes. Cases were matched to parity, age, and BMI. Controls were selected from the same year and as close as possible to the date of delivery of the case. Primary outcomes were macrosomia, defined by estimated fetal weight >90th centile and >95th centile (separately). Results The estimated adjusted odds ratio for the presence of maternal GDM in the presence of EFW > 90th percentile (adjusted for maternal age, BMI, gravidity, parity, baby gender, and EGA) was 0.63 (95% CI 0.30–1.3; P = 0.21). The estimated adjusted odds ratio for the association of maternal GDM and EFW > 95th percentile was 0.66 (95% CI 0.26–1.7; P = 0.38). Conclusions Our findings suggest that macrosomia is not increased in women with diet-controlled GDM. The study registration number is AQA 16/01.

Pregnancy Prognosis Associated With an Isolated Single Umbilical Artery in Twin Pregnancy

To determine the prognosis of an isolated single umbilical artery (SUA) in a twin pregnancy, we selected twin pregnancies with a second trimester ultrasound diagnosing a SUA in at least one fetus at our tertiary hospital. This was confirmed by placental histopathology or by expert review of ultrasound images. Cases were identified by searching the hospital ultrasound database over a period of 7.5 years. Higher order multiples or coexistent aneuploidy or major anomalies were excluded. Each case of an isolated SUA was assigned three consecutive twin pregnancy controls paired for chorionicity and maternal age. Primary outcomes were preterm birth <34 weeks, small for gestational age (SGA) or perinatal death. Other outcomes included antenatal growth restriction, mode of delivery, and admission to neonatal intensive care or special care nursery. Nine pregnancies (18 fetuses) were identified for analysis as cases. Isolated SUA was associated with preterm birth <34 weeks (odds ratio = 12.2; 95% CI = 2.0-75.2; p = .005) but not for SGA. There was also no difference in SGA between the affected twin and its normal co-twin. Perinatal death was increased but after controlling for gestational age and clustering this finding was no longer significant. We conclude that isolated SUA in twins adds a degree of risk to an already high-risk pregnancy but does not increase the need for surveillance for growth restriction.

Prognostic significance of steroid receptor positivity and adjuvant progestogen use in endometrial stromal sarcoma

The prognostic significance of oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) in endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) has conflicting reports in the literature, and the routine use of adjuvant progestogen is of uncertain efficacy.

Congenital Malformations Associated With a Single Umbilical Artery in Twin Pregnancies.

A single umbilical artery (SUA) was identified in 1.5% of twin pregnancies. The presence of a SUA in a twin pregnancy was associated with a 50% incidence of fetal anomalies, many of them complex and severe. The embryology and pathophysiological mechanisms associated with a SUA are reviewed. Aneuploidy is relatively common and should be considered, particularly in the presence of associated anomalies. Fetal growth restriction is frequent and preterm delivery is common.