Christina Fotopoulou

Survival impact and prognostic factors of secondary cytoreduction in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: a systematic review and trial-level meta-analysis

Secondary cytoreductive surgery is considered for selected patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Although evidence supports its impact on progression-free survival, its effect on overall survival remains controversial. This study aims to identify patient sub-groups that benefit most from secondary cytoreductive surgery. A systematic review and trial-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published through March 2025 was conducted. The primary end points were pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival and progression-free survival comparing secondary cytoreductive surgery plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. Sub-group analyses were performed based on histology, platinum-free interval, number of recurrent lesions, individualized model or Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie score, and residual disease status. Three randomized controlled trials involving 1249 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Patients with favorable validated selection scores (positive Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie or individualized model ≤4.7) showed significantly improved overall survival (HR 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66 to 0.96). Complete resection was associated with significantly better overall survival (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.64) and progression-free survival (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.61) than patients who had residual disease. A progression-free survival benefit was also observed in the non-high-grade serous histology (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.72). In patients with a platinum-free interval of 6 to 12 months (SOC-1, 6-16 months), there was a significant trend toward improved overall survival (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.91). Secondary cytoreductive surgery significantly improves progression-free survival and provides an overall survival benefit in carefully selected patients, particularly, those with a high likelihood of complete resection, favorable surgical selection scores, and a shorter platinum-free interval (<16 months). These findings highlight the critical role of patient selection and surgical completeness in optimizing outcomes for recurrent ovarian cancer.

European training requirements for gynecological oncology: the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology Curriculum

CT and MRI in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Advances in Imaging Techniques

Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the leading causes of gynecologic cancer-related mortality, with most patients presenting with disseminated disease, particularly within the peritoneal cavity. Standard treatment includes cytoreductive surgery, platinum-based chemotherapy, and targeted maintenance approaches depending on the patient's and tumor's genetic profile. Despite treatment advancements, approximately 25% of high-grade serous OC cases relapse within a year despite optimal primary treatment with complete tumor clearance at cytoreduction. Advances in contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT) and MRI have revolutionized the evaluation and treatment planning of advanced OC. CT remains the gold standard for staging and assessing tumor extent, effectively identifying peritoneal, lymphatic, and distant metastases. However, it is less effective in detecting small-volume peritoneal dissemination. MRI, with superior soft-tissue contrast, complements CT by providing a detailed assessment of peritoneal disease, characterizing sonographically indeterminate adnexal masses. Diffusion-weighted imaging and gadolinium-enhanced MRI have improved the diagnostic sensitivity for peritoneal disease but are unable to predict treatment response, recurrence risk, and prognosis. Radiomics, which extracts quantitative tumor features from imaging data, holds promise for personalizing treatment and identifying patients at risk for early recurrence despite optimal therapy. The integration of CT, MRI, and radiomics could enhance surgical planning and improve long-term survival outcomes in patients with advanced OC.

Surgical outcomes of rectosigmoid colon resection versus rectosigmoid wall stripping for superficial rectal wall tumors at cytoreductions for advanced ovarian cancer

This study aimed to evaluate surgical outcomes of rectosigmoid resection versus rectosigmoid wall stripping for superficial tumor involvement during cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. This retrospective study included patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III to IV ovarian cancer who underwent rectosigmoid resection or rectosigmoid wall stripping during primary or interval cytoreductive surgery between January 2021 and January 2024. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance baseline characteristics. Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were compared using appropriate statistical tests, including χ A total of 322 patients (rectosigmoid resection, n = 182; rectosigmoid wall stripping, n = 140) were included. A transition from rectosigmoid resection to rectosigmoid wall stripping began in mid-2022, resulting in an 83% reduction in rectosigmoid resection and a 900% increase in rectosigmoid wall stripping by late 2023. Rectosigmoid wall stripping was associated with shorter operation time (310 vs 400.8 minutes, p < .0001), lower blood loss (median, 489.4 vs 700 mL, p < .0001), fewer transfusions (31.3% vs 54.4%, p = .0002), shorter hospital stays (median, 11 vs 12 days, p = .0001), fewer thromboembolic events (6% vs 13.0%, p = .0356), and faster chemotherapy initiation (20 vs 22 days, p = .0002). Complete cytoreduction rates (72.6% vs 79.0%, p = .5152) and 6-month mortality (2.3% vs 1.7%, p = .6795) were similar. The rectosigmoid resection group showed a trend toward higher rates of bowel perforation (3.0% vs 0.8%) and fistula formation (2.0% vs 1.0%), although these differences were not statistically significant. For superficial and limited rectal serosal involvement, rectosigmoid wall stripping achieved macroscopic tumor clearance while reducing perioperative complications compared with rectosigmoid resection, which should be reserved for deeper or more extensive disease. Six-month follow-up showed comparable mortality rates between the 2 groups. Long-term and large-scale data are needed to ensure comparable oncologic safety.

Current practices for the management of advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer in the UK: OC-NOW survey (2023)

Worldwide barriers of optimal surgical care provision in advanced ovarian cancer

AbstractOvarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most challenging gynecological malignancies to cure, despite recent advances in treatment. Disparities in the diagnosis, management, and survival of OC exist worldwide and addressing them remains an ongoing challenge. The highest burden of OC is projected to be in women living in low‐ and middle‐income countries, where mortality rates are also disproportionately higher. Maximal effort cytoreduction paired with maximal effort systemic therapy followed by maintenance therapies remain the cornerstones of treatment for OC. Disparities are twofold: first, due to challenges with systemic therapy; and second, due to variations in surgical care, especially for advanced disease. While the goals of surgery remain unchanged, the radicality of cytoreductive resections and variation in practices worldwide have increased. The provision of surgical care for OC patients faces numerous challenges broadly categorized into three main areas: health system barriers; patient‐related barriers; and physician‐related barriers. Health system challenges include the lack of centralized cancer care, scarcity of resources, and inadequate funding. Patient‐related obstacles include disparities in patient education, comorbidities, socioeconomic factors, and underrepresentation of certain ethnicities in clinical trials. Physician‐related barriers encompass suboptimal surgical training, limited access to educational resources, inconsistent adherence to guidelines, limited use of a multidisciplinary team and overall differences in philosophy, ethos, and surgical tradition. Addressing and overcoming these barriers is essential to ensure equitable access to high‐quality surgical care for OC patients worldwide. The aim of the present review was to further explore these global challenges while also highlighting potential strategies to reduce disparities in women's health care.

Infrastructural and public health awareness gaps for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer: A literature review

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the sixth most common cancer in women. This literature review and thematic analysis presents gaps in Health Literacy including public knowledge on symptoms, risk, and screening for OC. We have identified a strong variation in national and international Healthcare Infrastructure, and access to specialized care, and treatment guidelines; all inequalities that have a direct impact on patient prognosis and survival. Promoting health behaviors such as self-efficacy, signposting, and regular surveying have the potential to improve health literacy and patient outcomes. Furthermore, increased funding, access to high-volume centers, and homogenization of treatment guidelines may reduce inequalities and improve prognosis.

Surgery for Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Purpose of Review To review evidence around the value and challenges of surgery for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (ROC). Both cytoreductive and palliative aspects will be addressed Recent Findings Prospective and retrospective evidence demonstrates a significantly longer remission derived from the combination of surgical and systemic modalities as opposed to systemic treatment alone in carefully selected ROC-patients who have relapsed more than 6 months from the end of their 1st line platinum-based chemotherapy. Nevertheless, this benefit appears to be limited when total macroscopic tumor clearance is not achieved. Selection algorithms to identify optimal surgical candidates are of paramount importance to prevent surgical morbidity without the equivalent oncological benefit. In the palliative setting, the risks and benefits of salvage surgery need to be counterbalanced with the advances of conservative techniques for optimal care. Summary Well-defined selection algorithms to identify those who will benefit from surgery in the relapsed setting appear to be the key to oncologic and surgical success.

Effectiveness of adjuvant systemic therapy following complete cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent granulosa cell tumours of the ovary

AbstractAim of the present analysis is to compare the impact of antihormonal therapy versus cytotoxic chemotherapy versus a watch a wait approach on disease-free survival (DFS) in the adjuvant setting of patients who underwent complete cytoreductive surgery(CRS) for recurrent adult type granulosa cell tumours of the ovary (GCT). Moreover, we wished to identify prognostic risk factors for recurrence. We included recurrent GCT-patients who underwent CRS resulting in total macroscopic tumour clearance, treated in two gynaecological cancer centres over a 20-year period (2000–2020). CRS was performed for 51 recurrences in 26 GCT-patients. Adjuvant systemic treatments were as follows: chemotherapy in 21 cases, hormonotherapy in 10 cases, no systemic treatment in 20 cases. There were no statistically significant differences in DFS between chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and no systemic treatment: median DFS was 57, 36 and 57 months, respectively (p = 0.616). Extra-pelvic and/or multifocal tumour dissemination were found to be independent predictive factors for subsequent recurrences. In the cases with both lower and upper abdominal involvement (n = 18), patients who received chemotherapy (n = 9) had longer DFS than those who had hormonotherapy (n = 2) or no adjuvant therapy (n = 7) at all: median DFS was 36, 13 and 15 months, respectively (p = 0.9). Our findings do not encourage the administration of adjuvant therapy following complete CRS for GCT-relapse. Selected high-risk patients with disseminated disease may derive clinical benefit from additional chemotherapy, larger-scale multicentre studies are warranted to define treatment algorithms for this rare disease.

Prognostic value of CA125 kinetics, half-life, and nadir in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To investigate the prognostic value of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) related variables on progression free survival and overall survival in primary and recurrent ovarian cancers. A comprehensive review of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify relevant literature on survival outcomes according to the ELIMination Rate Constant K (KELIM), Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) CA125 response criteria, CA125 half-life, and CA125 nadir levels during first line or later line chemotherapy. The search included articles published before February 2023. Cut-off values determining the favorable/unfavorable score of each study were extracted, and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed using a random effects model to identify the relationship between survival outcomes of the favorable/unfavorable groups, which was determined by an individual model using CA125 kinetics. A total of 27 studies with 14 444 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were included in this meta-analysis. In primary ovarian cancer, a favorable KELIM score, determined by individual modeled cut-off values, was associated with a significant progression free survival (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.62) and overall survival (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.62) benefit in the primary setting. The favorable KELIM scored group also correlated with a better progression free survival (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.62) in relapsed disease. We failed to demonstrate a better prognostic value of the GCIG response criteria and the CA125 half-life for progression free survival and overall survival. Novel chemotherapy response scores, such as KELIM, may be more clinically relevant than other prognostic models using CA125 kinetics, being directly associated with a more favorable survival in both the primary and relapsed setting in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The systemic review and meta-analysis were registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023385512).

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer: The right treatment to the right patient – Ensuring optimal outcomes in advanced ovarian cancer

Highlights from the 24th European Congress on Gynaecological Oncology in Istanbul: an ENYGO-IJGC Fellows compilation

The new 2023 endometrial cancer FIGO staging system: balancing innovation with complexity

In August 2023, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics introduced an updated staging system for endometrial cancer that integrates histopathologic and molecular characteristics (optional) of the tumor alongside with anatomic extent of the disease. This innovative approach aims to improve the prognostication of the system and the identification of treatment-relevant patient populations by more accurately stratifying patients based on tumor biology, representing a significant advancement toward personalized medicine. However, its implementation poses challenges, including the heterogeneous availability of molecular testing worldwide, and the need for further standardization and prospective validation of some of the newly introduced histopathological parameters. To address these innovations and related controversies, a meeting of physicians, including gynecologic oncologists and pathologists, was held. This article summarizes the reflections that emerged from this meeting, focusing on key elements such as the integration of histopathologic features (eg, "high-grade, aggressive histologic types," "substantial lymphovascular space invasion"), molecular classification, and the implications for global reproducibility and applicability. It also addresses the basic approach toward staging: should it offer integrated, patient-relevant information to enable accurate prognostication and inform treatment decisions or should a staging system simply provide a common language to communicate disease extent? The meeting provided an opportunity for a group of physicians to share considerations on this evolving topic. Our article highlights focal points of change in the new staging system and identifies key areas for future research, advocating for collaborative efforts to generate more robust evidence on some variables introduced in the staging system through prospective studies. By addressing these challenges, we aim to improve the applicability and effectiveness of the new International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system in real-world scenarios and identify elements that may require further refinement, ultimately advancing precision medicine in endometrial cancer care.

FIGO staging of endometrial cancer: 2023

Many advances in the understanding of the pathologic and molecular features of endometrial cancer have occurred since the FIGO staging was last updated in 2009. Substantially more outcome and biological behavior data are now available regarding the several histological types. Molecular and genetic findings have accelerated since the publication of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and provide improved clarity on the diverse biological nature of this collection of endometrial cancers and their differing prognostic outcomes. The goals of the new staging system are to better define these prognostic groups and create substages that indicate more appropriate surgical, radiation, and systemic therapies. The FIGO Women's Cancer Committee appointed a Subcommittee on Endometrial Cancer Staging in October 2021, represented by the authors. Since then, the committee members have met frequently and reviewed new and established evidence on the treatment, prognosis, and survival of endometrial cancer. Based on these data, opportunities for improvements in the categorization and stratification of these factors were identified in each of the four stages. Data and analyses from the molecular and histological classifications performed and published in the recently developed ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines were used as a template for adding the new subclassifications to the proposed molecular and histological staging system. Based on the existing evidence, the substages were defined as follows: The updated 2023 staging of endometrial cancer includes the various histological types, tumor patterns, and molecular classification to better reflect the improved understanding of the complex nature of the several types of endometrial carcinoma and their underlying biologic behavior. The changes incorporated in the 2023 staging system should provide a more evidence-based context for treatment recommendations and for the more refined future collection of outcome and survival data.

ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines for the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma

A European consensus conference on endometrial carcinoma was held in 2014 to produce multi-disciplinary evidence-based guidelines on selected questions. Given the large body of literature on the management of endometrial carcinoma published since 2014, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) jointly decided to update these evidence-based guidelines and to cover new topics in order to improve the quality of care for women with endometrial carcinoma across Europe and worldwide.

The Oxford Classic Links Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition to Immunosuppression in Poor Prognosis Ovarian Cancers

Abstract Purpose: Using RNA sequencing, we recently developed the 52-gene–based Oxford classifier of carcinoma of the ovary (Oxford Classic, OxC) for molecular stratification of serous ovarian cancers (SOCs) based on the molecular profiles of their cell of origin in the fallopian tube epithelium. Here, we developed a 52-gene NanoString panel for the OxC to test the robustness of the classifier. Experimental Design: We measured the expression of the 52 genes in an independent cohort of prospectively collected SOC samples (n = 150) from a homogenous cohort who were treated with maximal debulking surgery and chemotherapy. We performed data mining of published expression profiles of SOCs and validated the classifier results on tissue arrays comprising 137 SOCs. Results: We found evidence of profound nongenetic heterogeneity in SOCs. Approximately 20% of SOCs were classified as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition–high (EMT-high) tumors, which were associated with poor survival. This was independent of established prognostic factors, such as tumor stage, tumor grade, and residual disease after surgery (HR, 3.3; P = 0.02). Mining expression data of 593 patients revealed a significant association between the EMT scores of tumors and the estimated fraction of alternatively activated macrophages (M2; P &amp;lt; 0.0001), suggesting a mechanistic link between immunosuppression and poor prognosis in EMT-high tumors. Conclusions: The OxC-defined EMT-high SOCs carry particularly poor prognosis independent of established clinical parameters. These tumors are associated with high frequency of immunosuppressive macrophages, suggesting a potential therapeutic target to improve clinical outcome.

‘First do no harm’ revisited in ovarian cancer cytoreduction

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Marchetti et al., pp.1579–1588 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17558.

Tumor biology and impact on timing of surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Recent advances in epithelial ovarian cancer research have led to a shift in treatment strategy from the traditional 'organ-centric' to a personalized tumor biology-based approach. Nevertheless, we are still far behind an individualized approach for cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer; the gold standard of primary treatment in combination with systemic agents. The impact of tumor biology on treatment sequence is still understudied. It is obvious, that response to platinum-based therapy is crucial for the success of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. While high-grade serous and endometrioid tumors are commonly characterized by an excellent response, other subtypes are considered poor responders or even resistant to platinum. Undoubtedly, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may filter poor responders, but to date, we still do not have appropriate alternatives to platinum-based chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant and first-line setting and 'adjusting' systemic treatment in cases of poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy remains elusive. Primary cytoreduction is still considered the gold standard for fit patients with operable tumor dissemination patterns, especially for those ovarian cancer subtypes that show poor response to platinum. Of note, even in high-grade serous ovarian cancer, approximately 20% of tumors are platinum resistant and the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in this subgroup is limited. Interestingly, these tumors are associated with the mesenchymal molecular subtype, which in turn correlates with high risk for residual disease after cytoreductive surgery and is characterized by the worst survival outcome among high-grade ovarian cancers. This leads to the question, how to best tailor surgical radicality at the onset of patients' presentation to avoid associated morbidity and with a moderate benefit. Here, we give an overview of recent advances of interaction between tumor biology and surgery in ovarian cancer.

European Society of Gynaecological Oncology expanded quality indicators and accreditation for cervical cancer management

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer: the tail of the scorpion for radical debulking surgery?

Value of pre-existent bacterial colonization in patients with advanced/relapsed ovarian neoplasms undergoing cytoreductive surgery: a multicenter observational study (BONSAI)

As an increasing number of patients with advanced/relapsed ovarian cancer need extensive cytoreductive procedures, there is an increasing number of complex cases collected in accredited tertiary cancer centers. With nosocomial infections and bacterial colonizations being a significant challenge in these patient cohorts, we aimed to evaluate the risk such infections pose to surgical outcome. Prospective assessment of pathological bacterial colonization (vaginal, umbilical/groin, intraperitoneal, urine, oral/nose cavity) in patients who underwent open cytoreductive surgery for advanced/relapsed ovarian cancer in two large European tertiary referral centers for gynecologic malignancies. We recruited patients at initial diagnosis with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III and IV ovarian cancer and patients undergoing surgery for relapse. Swabs or cultures were taken from the following sites: vagina, groin and/or umbilicus, urine, intraperitoneal, mouth and/or nose. Only evidence of pathogenic bacteria was considered positive for bacterial colonization. A total of 172 primary advanced (70.9%) or relapsed (29.1%) ovarian cancer patients were included; 63.4% of them had received chemotherapy±additional targeted agents (16.3%) by the time of cytoreduction. 39.5% of the patients had a long-term vascular access line in situ. A bowel resection was performed in 44.8% and a splenectomy in 16.3% of the patients. Predefined surgical morbidity and mortality were 22.3% and 0%, respectively. Forty-one patients (23.8%) screened positive for pathogenic bacterial colonization with the presence of long-term intravenous access as the only independent risk factor identified (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.05 to 5.34; p=0.04). Type of systemic treatments, previous bowel resections, previous hospitalizations, and patient demographics did not appear to significantly impact the risk of bacterial colonization. Furthermore, pathogenic bacterial colonization was shown to have no significant effect on peri-operative infection-related complications such as abscesses, wound infection, pneumonia, relaparotomy, or anastomotic leak. A total of 24% of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer were confirmed positive for pathogenic bacterial colonization. The presence of long-term intravenous access was identified as the only significant risk factor for that, however the presence of pathogenic bacterial colonization per se did not seem to adversely affect outcome of cytoreductive effort or increase perioperative infection related complications.

Ovarian cancer stem cells: ready for prime time?

The role of cancer stem cells (CSC) remains controversial and increasingly subject of investigation as a potential oncogenetic platform with promising therapeutic implications. Understanding the role of CSCs in a highly heterogeneous disease like epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) may potentially lead to the better understanding of the oncogenetic and metastatic pathways of the disease, but also to develop novel strategies against its progression and platinum resistance. We have performed a review of all relevant literature that addresses the oncogenetic potential of stem cells in EOC, their mechanisms, and the associated therapeutic targets. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been reported to be implicated not only in the development and pathways of intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH), but also potentially modulating the tumor microenvironment, leading to the selection of sub-clones resistant to chemotherapy. Furthermore, it appears that the enhanced DNA repair abilities of CSCs are connected with their endurance and resistance maintaining their genomic integrity during novel targeted treatments such as PARP inhibitors, allowing them to survive and causing disease relapse functioning as a tumor seeds. It appears that CSCs play a major role in the underlying mechanisms of oncogenesis and development of relapse in EOC. Part of promising future plans would be to not only use them as therapeutic targets, but also extent their value on a preventative level through engineering mechanisms and prevention of EOC in its origin.

Quality indicators for advanced ovarian cancer surgery from the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO): 2020 update

How to predict treatment failure in frail patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: strategies to personalize surgical effort

Validation analysis of the novel imaging-based prognostic radiomic signature in patients undergoing primary surgery for advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC)

Abstract Background Predictive models based on radiomics features are novel, highly promising approaches for gynaecological oncology. Here, we wish to assess the prognostic value of the newly discovered Radiomic Prognostic Vector (RPV) in an independent cohort of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients, treated within a Centre of Excellence, thus avoiding any bias in treatment quality. Methods RPV was calculated using standardised algorithms following segmentation of routine preoperative imaging of patients (n = 323) who underwent upfront debulking surgery (01/2011-07/2018). RPV was correlated with operability, survival and adjusted for well-established prognostic factors (age, postoperative residual disease, stage), and compared to previous validation models. Results The distribution of low, medium and high RPV scores was 54.2% (n = 175), 33.4% (n = 108) and 12.4% (n = 40) across the cohort, respectively. High RPV scores independently associated with significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.69; 95% CI:1.06–2.71; P = 0.038), even after adjusting for stage, age, performance status and residual disease. Moreover, lower RPV was significantly associated with total macroscopic tumour clearance (OR = 2.02; 95% CI:1.56–2.62; P = 0.00647). Conclusions RPV was validated to independently identify those HGSOC patients who will not be operated tumour-free in an optimal setting, and those who will relapse early despite complete tumour clearance upfront. Further prospective, multicentre trials with a translational aspect are warranted for the incorporation of this radiomics approach into clinical routine.

Response to: Correspondence on "ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE Consensus Statement on pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian tumors" by Thomassin-Nagarra et al

European Society of Gynaecological Oncology guidelines for the peri-operative management of advanced ovarian cancer patients undergoing debulking surgery

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) developed and established for the first time in 2016, and updated in 2020, quality indicators for advanced ovarian cancer surgery to audit and improve clinical practice in Europe and beyond. As a sequela of the continuous effort to improve oncologic care in patients with ovarian cancer, ESGO issued in 2018 a consensus guidance jointly with the European Society of Medical Oncology addressing in a multidisciplinary fashion 20 selected key questions in the management of ovarian cancer, ranging from molecular pathology to palliation in primary and relapse disease. In order to complement the above achievements and consolidate the promoted systemic advances and surgical expertise with adequate peri-operative management, ESGO developed, as the next step, clinically relevant and evidence-based guidelines focusing on key aspects of peri-operative care and management of complications as part of its mission to improve the quality of care for women with advanced ovarian cancer and reduce iatrogenic morbidity. To do so, ESGO nominated an international multidisciplinary development group consisting of practicing clinicians and researchers who have demonstrated leadership and expertise in the care and research of ovarian cancer (18 experts across Europe). To ensure that the guidelines are evidence based, the literature published since 2015, identified from a systematic search, was reviewed and critically appraised. In the absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the development group. The guidelines are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 117 independent international practitioners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives.

ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE Consensus Statement on pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian tumors

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG), the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) group, and the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) jointly developed clinically relevant and evidence-based statements on the pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian tumors, including imaging techniques, biomarkers, and prediction models. ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE nominated a multidisciplinary international group, including expert practising clinicians and researchers who have demonstrated leadership and expertise in the pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian tumors and management of patients with ovarian cancer (19 experts across Europe). A patient representative was also included in the group. To ensure that the statements were evidence-based, the current literature was reviewed and critically appraised. Preliminary statements were drafted based on the review of the relevant literature. During a conference call, the whole group discussed each preliminary statement and a first round of voting was carried out. Statements were removed when a consensus among group members was not obtained. The voters had the opportunity to provide comments/suggestions with their votes. The statements were then revised accordingly. Another round of voting was carried out according to the same rules to allow the whole group to evaluate the revised version of the statements. The group achieved consensus on 18 statements. This Consensus Statement presents these ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE statements on the pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian tumors and the assessment of carcinomatosis, together with a summary of the evidence supporting each statement.

ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE Consensus Statement on preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors

ABSTRACTThe European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG), the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) group and the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) jointly developed clinically relevant and evidence‐based statements on the preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors, including imaging techniques, biomarkers and prediction models.ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE nominated a multidisciplinary international group, including expert practising clinicians and researchers who have demonstrated leadership and expertise in the preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors and management of patients with ovarian cancer (19 experts across Europe). A patient representative was also included in the group. To ensure that the statements were evidence‐based, the current literature was reviewed and critically appraised.Preliminary statements were drafted based on the review of the relevant literature. During a conference call, the whole group discussed each preliminary statement and a first round of voting was carried out. Statements were removed when consensus among group members was not obtained. The voters had the opportunity to provide comments/suggestions with their votes. The statements were then revised accordingly. Another round of voting was carried out according to the same rules to allow the whole group to evaluate the revised version of the statements. The group achieved consensus on 18 statements.This Consensus Statement presents these ESGO/ISUOG/IOTA/ESGE statements on the preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors and the assessment of carcinomatosis, together with a summary of the evidence supporting each statement.

Discovery of a biomarker candidate for surgical stratification in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Maximal effort cytoreductive surgery is associated with improved outcomes in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). However, despite complete gross resection (CGR), there is a percentage of patients who will relapse and die early. The aim of this study is to identify potential candidate biomarkers to help personalise surgical radicality. 136 advanced HGSOC cases who underwent CGR were identified from three public transcriptomic datasets. Candidate prognostic biomarkers were discovered in this cohort by Cox regression analysis, and further validated by targeted RNA-sequencing in HGSOC cases from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (n = 59), and a public dataset. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to understand the biological significance of the candidate biomarker. We identified ALG5 as a prognostic biomarker for early tumour progression in advanced HGSOC despite CGR (HR = 2.42, 95% CI (1.57-3.75), p < 0.0001). The prognostic value of this new candidate biomarker was additionally confirmed in two independent datasets (HR = 1.60, 95% CI (1.03-2.49), p = 0.0368; HR = 3.08, 95% CI (1.07-8.81), p = 0.0365). Mechanistically, the oxidative phosphorylation was demonstrated as a potential biological pathway of ALG5-high expression in patients with early relapse (p < 0.001). ALG5 has been identified as an independent prognostic biomarker for poor prognosis in advanced HGSOC patients despite CGR. This sets a promising platform for biomarker combinations and further validations towards future personalised surgical care.

British Gynaecological Cancer Society/British Association of Gynaecological Pathology consensus for germline and tumor testing for BRCA1/2 variants in ovarian cancer in the United Kingdom

The British Gynecological Cancer Society and the British Association of Gynecological Pathologists established a multidisciplinary consensus group comprising experts in surgical gynecological oncology, medical oncology, genetics, and laboratory science, and clinical nurse specialists to identify the optimal pathways to

Peri-operative ovarian cancer guidelines: psycho-oncology

Peri-operative ovarian cancer guidelines: major intra-operative and post-operative bleeding and thromboembolic events

Perioperative ovarian cancer management: management of bowel related morbidity, prophylactic stoma formation, and stoma reversal

ESTRO/ESGO/SIOPe Guidelines for the management of patients with vaginal cancer

Primary vaginal malignancies are rare, comprising only 2% of all female genital tract malignancies in adults and 4.5% in children. As part of its mission to improve the quality of care for women with gynecological cancers across Europe, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) jointly with the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOPe) developed evidence-based guidelines in order to improve the management of patients with vaginal cancer within a multidisciplinary setting.ESTRO/ESGO/SIOPe nominated practicing clinicians who are involved in the management of vaginal cancer patients and have demonstrated leadership through their expertise in clinical care and research, their national and international engagement and profile as well as dedication to the topics addressed to serve on the expert panel (13 experts across Europe comprising the international development group). To ensure that the statements were evidence based, the current literature was reviewed and critically appraised.In the case of absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the international development group. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 112 independent international practitionners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives and their comments and input were incorporated and addressed accordingly.These guidelines cover comprehensively the diagnostic pathways as well as the surgical, radiotherapeutical and systemic management and follow-up of adult patients (including those with rare histological subtypes) and pediatric patients (vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours) with vaginal tumours.

Diagnostic Accuracy of FEC-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT, and Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Detection of Nodal Metastases in Surgically Treated Endometrial and Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract Purpose: Preoperative nodal staging is important for planning treatment in cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, but remains challenging. We compare nodal staging accuracy of 18F-ethyl-choline-(FEC)-PET/CT, 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose-(FDG)-PET/CT, and diffusion-weighted-MRI (DW-MRI) with conventional morphologic MRI. Experimental Design: A prospective, multicenter observational study of diagnostic accuracy for nodal metastases was undertaken in 5 gyne-oncology centers. FEC-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT, and DW-MRI were compared with nodal size and morphology on MRI. Reference standard was strictly correlated nodal histology. Eligibility included operable cervical cancer stage ≥ 1B1 or endometrial cancer (grade 3 any stage with myometrial invasion or grade 1–2 stage ≥ II). Results: Among 162 consenting participants, 136 underwent study DW-MRI and FDG-PET/CT and 60 underwent FEC-PET/CT. In 118 patients, 267 nodal regions were strictly correlated at histology (nodal positivity rate, 25%). Sensitivity per patient (n = 118) for nodal size, morphology, DW-MRI, FDG- and FEC-PET/CT was 40%*, 53%, 53%, 63%*, and 67% for all cases (*, P = 0.016); 10%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 25% in cervical cancer (n = 40); 65%, 75%, 70%, 80% and 88% in endometrial cancer (n = 78). FDG-PET/CT outperformed nodal size (P = 0.006) and size ratio (P = 0.04) for per-region sensitivity. False positive rates were all &amp;lt;10%. Conclusions: All imaging techniques had low sensitivity for detection of nodal metastases and cannot replace surgical nodal staging. The performance of FEC-PET/CT was not statistically different from other techniques that are more widely available. FDG-PET/CT had higher sensitivity than size in detecting nodal metastases. False positive rates were low across all methods. The low false positive rate demonstrated by FDG-PET/CT may be helpful in arbitration of challenging surgical planning decisions.

Prognostic factors in patients with vulvar cancer: the VULCAN study

This study aimed to analyze the prognostic factors for overall and progression-free survival in patients with vulvar cancer. This international, multicenter, retrospective study included 2453 patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer at 100 different institutions. Inclusion criteria were institutional review board approval from each collaborating center, pathologic diagnosis of invasive carcinoma of the vulva, and primary treatment performed at the participating center. Patients with intraepithelial neoplasia or primary treatment at non-participating centers were excluded. Global survival analysis and squamous cell histology subanalysis was performed. After excluding patients due to incomplete data entry, 1727 patients treated for vulvar cancer between January 2001 and December 2005 were registered for analysis (1535 squamous, 42 melanomas, 38 Paget's disease and 112 other histologic types). Melanomas had the worse prognosis (p=0.02). In squamous vulvar tumors, independent factors for increase in local recurrence of vulvar cancer were: no prior radiotherapy (p5 mm (p=0.001) were correlated with poor overall survival, and large case volume (≥9 vs <9 cases per year) correlated with more favorable overall survival (p=0.05). Advanced patient age, number of positive inguinal lymph nodes, and lack of adjuvant treatment are significantly associated with a higher risk of relapse in patients with squamous cell vulvar cancer. Case volume per treating institution, FIGO stage, and stromal invasion appear to impact overall survival significantly. Future prospective trials are warranted to establish these prognostic factors for vulvar cancer.

ESGO/ESTRO quality indicators for radiation therapy of cervical cancer

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) has previously defined and established a list of quality indicators for the surgical treatment of cervical cancer. As a continuation of this effort to improve overall quality of care for cervical cancer patients across all aspects, ESGO and the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) initiated the development of quality indicators for radiation therapy of cervical cancer. To develop a list of quality indicators for radiation therapy of cervical cancer that can be used to audit and improve clinical practice by giving to practitioners and administrators a quantitative basis to improve care and organizational processes, notably for recognition of the increased complexity of modern external radiotherapy and brachytherapy techniques. Quality indicators were based on scientific evidence and/or expert consensus. The development process included a systematic literature search for identification of potential quality indicators and documentation of scientific evidence, consensus meetings of a group of international experts, an internal validation process, and external review by a large international panel of clinicians (n=99). Using a structured format, each quality indicator has a description specifying what the indicator is measuring. Measurability specifications are detailed to define how the quality indicators will be measured in practice. Targets were also defined for specifying the level which each unit or center should be aiming to achieve. Nineteen structural, process, and outcome indicators were defined. Quality indicators 1-6 are general requirements related to pretreatment workup, time to treatment, upfront radiation therapy, and overall management, including active participation in clinical research and the decision making process within a structured multidisciplinary team. Quality indicators 7-17 are related to treatment indicators. Quality indicators 18 and 19 are related to patient outcomes. This set of quality indicators is a major instrument to standardize the quality of radiation therapy in cervical cancer. A scoring system combining surgical and radiotherapeutic quality indicators will be developed within an envisaged future ESGO accreditation process for the overall management of cervical cancer, in an effort to support institutional and governmental quality assurance programs.

Diagnostic performance of quantitative measures from [18F]FDG PET/CT, [18F]FEC PET/CT, and DW-MRI in the detection of lymph node metastases in endometrial and cervical cancer: data from the MAPPING study

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative measures derived from [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT, [ 18 F]FEC PET/CT, and DW-MRI in the detection of lymph node metastases in endometrial and cervical cancer with comparison to standard visual PET analysis with histology as the reference standard. Methods Subanalysis of quantitative data from the prospective multicentre MAPPING study. Nodal and tumour SUV max from [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT and [ 18 F]FEC PET/CT and ADC mean from DW-MRI were documented. Nodal-to-tumour ratios (NTR) and SUV max -to-ADC mean ratio (STAR) were calculated. Optimal cut-offs of quantitative measures were compared to visual assessment on a regional basis using histopathology as the reference standard. Results Scans from 112 patients (36 cervical and 76 endometrial cancers; 340 nodal regions) were eligible for quantitative image analysis. Lower ADC mean on DW-MRI was observed in metastatic nodes for cervical cancer but not for endometrial cancer. Quantitative measures were significantly higher in malignant than benign nodal regions on [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT and [ 18 F]FEC PET/CT in endometrial cancer. SUV max cut-offs showed similar performance to visual assessment in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in endometrial cancer whilst ADC mean cut-offs showed significantly lower specificity than visual assessment. Interobserver agreement was excellent for SUV max measurements on both [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT and [ 18 F]FEC PET/CT, but poor for ADC mean on DW-MRI. Conclusion Quantitative measures from [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT, [ 18 F]FEC PET/CT, or DW-MRI did not outperform visual assessment in the detection of nodal metastases in endometrial cancer. Therefore, the implementation of these quantitative measures as standalone diagnostic tools in routine clinical practice is not recommended.

Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in older patients

We aimed to analyze management and survival outcomes of older patients (≥75 years) with stage ≥II epithelial ovarian cancer across gynecological cancer centers in the United Kingdom. Retrospective cohort study performed using the IMPRESS project data set. Clinical information for patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer from 6 sites of varying size and population demographics was collated between January 2018 and December 2019. We compared treatment of patients aged ≥75 years with those <75, within and between centers, using multivariate analysis to understand effects on outcomes. After exclusions, we assessed 721 patients for overall survival and 702 for progression-free survival. Patients aged ≥75 years had poorer performance status and more comorbidities. Older patients were less likely to receive combination treatment with surgery and chemotherapy (in either order) (overall = 392/721 (54.4%); <75 cohort = 320/495 (64.6%); ≥75 cohort = 72/226 (31.9%), p < .0001). Treatment varied between sites, with some having no active treatment rates of 49% for patients aged ≥75 years. Older patients had twice the relative risk of death (relative risk 1.98, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.39, p < .001). Adjustment for confounders individually caused only a relatively modest reduction in magnitude and strength of association. Adjustment for treatment led to this association essentially disappearing (relative risk 1.10, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.38, 99% reduction in χ Older women may do as well as younger women in terms of survival if treated similarly, although this varies depending on treatment groups. Treatments varied between and within sites, with some sites treating older women differently than others.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology position statement: promoting inclusive surgical ergonomics in gynecological oncology

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) recognizes that poorly designed instruments and operating room environments contribute to musculoskeletal injuries, fatigue, and burnout, disproportionately affecting female and smaller-stature surgeons. Ergonomic equity is central to ensuring surgical precision, team well-being, and optimal patient outcomes. ESGO calls for close collaboration between surgeons, industry partners, and hospital systems to re-design surgical instruments and equipment. Adaptable grip sizes, adjustable weight distribution, and inclusive workstation designs must be prioritized to accommodate diverse anthropometric needs and improve comfort, dexterity, and performance. INCLUSIVE OPERATING ROOM DESIGN AND STANDARDIZED SUPPORT MEASURES: Operating rooms should be designed to support diverse surgical teams, including surgeons of different statures, hand sizes, and physical capacities. ESGO recommends adjustable tables, consoles, lighting, and pedals, alongside consistent policies for accommodating pregnant and postpartum surgeons through measures such as flexible seating and scheduled breaks. ESGO advocates for the integration of ergonomic training into surgical education and continuing professional development. Standardized guidelines, intraoperative microbreaks, and mentorship initiatives are key strategies to reduce injury risks, enhance surgical longevity, and foster equality, diversity, and inclusion within gynecological oncology.

Automated Extraction of ESGO Operative Report Fields from Free-Text Surgical Notes Using Large Language Models in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

SUROVA study: global real-world treatment strategies and mortality risk prediction in advanced ovarian cancer

This study aimed to compare 5-year overall survival between primary debulking surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery in patients with stage IIIB to IVB epithelial ovarian cancer, using global real-world data. Secondary objectives included evaluation of progression-free survival and the influence of race, post-operative complications, and residual disease. SUROVA is a retrospective, international cohort study involving patients treated between 2018 and 2019 across 174 centers in 55 countries. Patients underwent primary surgery or received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval surgery, per institutional protocols. Propensity score matching was based on 7 baseline variables: age, race, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at diagnosis, CA125 level at diagnosis, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV disease, presence of ascites, and final tumor grade. Cox regression models with time-dependent effects and interaction terms were applied. A clinical risk calculator was developed and internally validated. A total of 3286 patients had a mean age of 60.0 years (SD 12); 2978 (90.6%) had high-grade serous carcinoma, and 795 (24.7%) presented with FIGO stage IV disease. A total of 1666 patients (50.7%) underwent primary cytoreductive surgery, and 1620 (49.3%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up duration was 43.8 months (interquartile range; 22.6-59.3). After propensity score matching (n=1524), overall survival was similar between groups (67.2 vs 65.0 months; HR 1.002, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.18, p=.98). Outcomes differed by ethnicity, residual disease, and post-operative complications. Post-operative complications (28%) significantly worsened survival (66 vs 46 months; HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.9, p<.001), especially among patients undergoing primary surgery (73 vs 46 months; HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.37, p<.001). The most favorable outcomes were observed among patients with primary surgery, complete resection, and no complications, with median overall survival not reached (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.40, p<.001). Although overall survival was similar between groups, treatment effects differed by ethnicity, residual disease, and complications. Post-operative complications were associated with significantly worse survival, particularly among patients undergoing primary surgery, while the best outcomes were achieved in those who had primary surgery with complete resection and no complications.

SHAPE-ENDO: Multimodal Pre-Surgical Optimization in Patients With Obesity and Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer

SHAPE-ENDO is a prospective observational study conducted at Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge evaluating a multimodal pre-surgical optimization strategy for women with obesity (BMI ≥35) and atypical endometrial hyperplasia or early-stage endometrial cancer. Participants receive standard-of-care interventions including GLP1/GIP-RA therapy, levonorgestrel intrauterine device (with or without oral progestins), structured nutrition and exercise programs, and scheduled endometrial surveillance. The study aims to assess whether this multimodal strategy improves metabolic health, promotes weight loss, and increases eligibility for minimally invasive surgery while maintaining oncologic safety during the optimization period. Participants are followed for 6-12 months with monitoring of anthropometric and metabolic parameters, histological response, quality of life, and treatment adherence. All interventions are part of routine clinical care. Findings from this study may inform future comparative trials evaluating metabolic optimization strategies in patients with obesity and early-stage endometrial cancer.

OSNA Versus Ultrastaging to Detect Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Endometrial Cancer

Patients enrolled in the study will be randomized before surgery: in one study arm, the search for lymph node metastases in surgically removed sentinel lymph nodes will occur using the ultrastaging method (standard), while in the other arm it will be conducted using the OSNA method.

Centralization and Oncologic Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer

This is a multicenter, observational, retrospective and prospective study conducted within the REMO (Reggio Emilia - Modena) network in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy), promoted by AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia. The study aims to evaluate the impact of surgical centralization and treatment strategies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic on oncologic outcomes in patients diagnosed with the epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) from 2018 to 2023. The retrospective component includes patients treated between 2018 and 2023, while the prospective component consists of clinical follow-up of those patients over the next five years.

Ovarian Cancer Radiomics Approach in CT Led Evaluation

When patients have suspected or confirmed ovarian cancer standard treatment will involve surgery and chemotherapy. However, as with any treatment, it is challenging to predict treatment response in advance. Before treatment, all patients have a CT scan to describe where the cancer is in order to guide the treatment. There is now a new way to analyse routine scans using advanced computing methods, which may give more information about the ovarian cancer. This is called radiomics which analyses features in scans that are not visible to the naked eye. Our group at Imperial College London has worked on developing radiomic models to better understand ovarian cancer. This study aims to determine whether the information gained from this new approach would help us to tailor patient treatment plans to better meet the patient's individual needs, even more than done already. Furthermore, the aim is to understand how different types of ovarian cancer can correlate with the radiomic findings, which may help develop potential treatments in the future.

Uterine Manipulator Versus No Uterine Manipulator in Endometrial Cancer Trial

Minimally invasive surgery is the recommended approach in endometrial cancer (EC) patients based on the results of two randomized controlled trials, given its advantages without compromised oncologic outcomes. The uterine manipulator is commonly used in benign and malignant pathologies to perform a laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy. However, although regularly used, the uterine manipulator adoption in EC is a controversial technical aspect due to the raised concerns regarding the possible risk of disruption of the tumor mass, the spread of malignant cells, and seeding of the disease, particularly at the level of the vaginal cuff or spread of tumor cells, with increased risk of recurrence and death due to EC. On that basis, given that hysterectomy without a uterine manipulator is feasible, only a randomized controlled trial comparing oncologic outcomes in EC patients after use versus not use of the uterine manipulator will be able to provide high-quality evidence to answer this critical question and allow or exclude the use of a uterine manipulator during minimally invasive hysterectomy for EC.

PROfiling Based Endometrial Cancer Adjuvant Therapy

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized phase III trial among women with endometrioid adenocarcinoma with high-intermediate and intermediate risk features to investigate the role of integrated genomic-pathologic classification to determine if participants should receive no adjuvant therapy, vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy or chemo-radiation therapy based on molecular features as compared to standard radiation therapy.