Maria Cristina Solazzo

Inflammatory Indices and CA 125: A New Approach to Distinguish Ovarian Carcinoma and Borderline Tumors in Suspicious Ovarian Neoplasms from a Retrospective Observational Multicentric Study

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of systemic inflammatory indices such as Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) and Systemic Inflammatory Response (SIR). These were assessed in combination with CA 125 to distinguish ovarian carcinoma (OC) from borderline ovarian tumors (BOT) in patients with suspicious adnexal masses. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multicenter observational study including patients undergoing surgery for suspected ovarian neoplasms was conducted. Inclusion criteria required preoperative blood sampling for inflammatory markers and CA 125. SIR-125 and SIRI-125 were developed by combining SIR and SIRI with CA 125 levels. Diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC curve analysis and linear regression models. Results: A total of 63 patients (42 BOT, 21 OC) were analyzed. OC patients exhibited significantly higher SIR-125 and SIRI-125 values (p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy, with AUCs of 0.83 (SIR-125) and 0.82 (SIRI-125). SIR-125 showed higher specificity (0.83), while SIRI-125 had superior sensitivity (0.86). Conclusions: SIR-125 and SIRI-125 enhance diagnostic differentiation between OC and BOT, providing a simple, cost-effective preoperative tool. Future prospective studies are needed to validate these findings in broader patient populations.

Fertility-sparing management of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: A systematic review of oncologic and reproductive outcomes

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS) is a rare malignancy and the standard of care, precludes future childbearing. Although fertility-sparing treatment (FST) may be considered in carefully selected patients, high-quality evidence regarding its efficacy and safety is limited. This review aims to systematically evaluate the oncologic and reproductive outcomes associated with conservative treatment for LG-ESS. Pubmed Database, Scopus Database and Embase Database were screened in September 2024 from the first publication about women with LG-ESS treated with a surgical FST. We included the studies containing data about oncologic, and reproductive outcomes. This study adheres to PRISMA guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024605140). The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. 9 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, and 89 patients were analyzed. Recurrence was observed in 51 out of 89 patients (57.3 %) with a mean recurrence-free interval ranging between 3 and 40.5 months. A mortality rate of 1.1 % was observed, with a mean follow-up duration ranging from 38.5 to 84.5 months. The overall pregnancy rate was 41.5 % and the live birth rate was 78.1 %. The preterm delivery rate was 8 % and 3.9 % of patients required assisted reproduction technology. Considering the limitations of the available evidence, FST in women with LG-ESS carries a relatively high risk of tumor relapse, though it does not increase the risk of death. Fertility outcomes seem to be encouraging. Resection of the malignant uterine lesion combined with adjuvant hormonal treatment may be considered for selected early-stage patients, with close follow-up.

Early Postoperative Albumin and Neutrophil Dynamics for Risk Stratification After Cytoreductive Surgery in Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study

Background and Objectives: Serum albumin is a widely available and inexpensive biomarker that reflects nutritional status and physiological reserve. Hypoalbuminemia has been linked to poor postoperative outcomes in surgical oncology; however, its role in predicting early complications after cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, as well as the potential contribution of systemic inflammatory indices in nutritionally preserved patients, remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of early postoperative serum albumin for early surgical complications and to explore whether inflammatory indices could offer additional prognostic information in patients with adequate albumin levels. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study including patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer at two Italian tertiary referral centers between July 2023 and December 2025. Postoperative serum albumin was measured on the first postoperative day. Systemic inflammatory parameters were assessed using perioperative changes in neutrophils and composite indices. Early postoperative complications occurring within 30 days were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, and subgroup analyses were conducted in patients with postoperative albumin ≥3 g/dL. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to identify an optimal cutoff for significant inflammatory predictors. Results: A total of 121 patients were included, of whom 30 developed early postoperative complications. Patients with complications had significantly lower postoperative albumin levels than those without complications (median 2.75 vs. 3.09 g/dL; p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, lower postoperative albumin independently predicted early complications (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06–0.86). In the subgroup of patients with preserved albumin levels (≥3 g/dL), a smaller postoperative neutrophil decline independently predicted complications (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.12–2.70). A neutrophil drop cutoff of −1.15 × 103/dL showed good specificity (81.5%) and high negative predictive value (95.7%). Conclusions: Early postoperative serum albumin is a strong predictor of early surgical complications after cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. In patients with preserved nutritional status, dynamic neutrophil changes provide additional prognostic information. Incorporating low-cost metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers may enhance early postoperative risk stratification and support more personalized patient management.