Investigator
Mercy Medical Center
Small bowel obstruction and ovarian cancer: insights from a propensity-score matched study in patients with and without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery
Small bowel obstruction (SBO) affects ~ 30% of ovarian cancer (OC) patients, leading to readmission, debilitating symptoms, and death within one year. Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) effectively controls peritoneal disease. We investigated primary CRS/HIPEC's impact on SBO and obstruction-free survival (OFS) in OC patients. A retrospective single-center cohort study of stage III/IV OC patients treated with primary optimal CRS (2014-2022) was performed. Patients who underwent upfront CRS/HIPEC vs. CRS only were matched for histology, age (> 65 years), extent of disease, FIGO stage, and surgery year, using a propensity scored full matching algorithm. CRS/HIPEC effect on OFS was determined using a weighted cox-regression model. OFS was measured from surgery to SBO/death. Overall, 102 patients were included, 29 underwent CRS/HIPEC and 73 CRS only. CRS/HIPEC had higher median number of upper abdominal procedures (4 [IQR: 3-5] vs. 1 [IQR: 0-4], p < 0.01). Postoperative major morbidity was similar (p = 0.62). After a median follow-up of 88.8 months, SBO occurred in 24.1% (n = 7) CRS/HIPEC vs. 42.0% (n = 34) CRS only (p = 0.12). Most SBOs were partial (CRS/HIPEC: 71.4%, CRS: 55.9%) and managed conservatively (CRS/HIPEC: 71.4%, CRS: 67.6%). Median OFS was 42.9 vs. 20.0 months (HR: 0.50 [95% CI 0.27-0.93], p = 0.028). One-year survival after initial SBO was 85.7% vs. 44.7%, respectively (HR: 0.79 [95% CI 0.39-1.61], p = 0.512). SBO after upfront CRS/HIPEC for OC occurred less frequently, was delayed, and had lower 1-year mortality compared to CRS alone. CRS, which includes upper abdominal exploration/surgery, coupled with HIPEC could enhance long-term peritoneal disease control in OC patients.
Peritoneal metastases from rare ovarian cancer treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC)
Abstract Objectives There are limited treatment options and no consensus on the management of advanced rare ovarian malignancies. Rare ovarian malignancies can present with peritoneal metastases (PM), featuring a similar presentation to more common ovarian subtypes. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is an effective treatment for PM of non-gynecologic origin and, recently, epithelial ovarian cancer. We evaluated the feasibility of CRS/HIPEC in the management of PM from rare ovarian malignancies and report postoperative outcomes on these patients. Methods A retrospective review of a single center, prospective database (1994–2021) was performed to identify patients with rare ovarian malignancies treated with CRS/HIPEC. Clavien-Dindo 90-day morbidity/mortality and Kaplan–Meier overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results Of 44 patients identified, 28 underwent CRS/HIPEC. Six were aborted due to extensive disease. Histologic subtypes included: clear cell (5/28, 17.9 %), endometrioid (5/28, 17.9 %), granulosa cell (3/28, 10.7 %), low-grade serous (6/28, 21.4 %), mesonephric (1/28, 3.6 %), mucinous (6/28, 21.4 %), and small cell (2/28, 7.1 %) carcinomas. Eight (28.6 %) patients had primary and 20 (71.4 %) had recurrent disease. Median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 21 (IQR: 6–29). Complete cytoreduction (<2.5 mm residual disease) was achieved in 27/28 (96.4 %). Grade III/IV complications occurred in 9/28 (32.1 %) with one (3.6 %) mortality. After a median follow-up of 65.8 months, 20 patients were alive. Five-year OS and PFS were 68.5 and 52.6 %, respectively. Conclusions In patients with PM from rare ovarian malignancies, CRS/HIPEC is feasible and has an acceptable safety profile. Longer follow-up and multicenter trials are needed.
Collaborative expertise of gynecological and surgical oncologists in managing advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
Most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) present with significant peritoneal spread. We assessed collaborative efforts of surgical and gynecological oncologists with expertise in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in the management of advanced EOC. Using a prospective single-center database (2014-2022), we described the operative and oncologic outcomes of stage IIIC-IVA primary and recurrent EOC perioperatively managed jointly by gynecological and surgical oncologists both specializing in CRS and presented components of this collaboration. Of 199 identified patients, 132 (66 %) had primary and 53 (27 %) had recurrent EOC. Due to inoperable disease, 14 (7 %) cases were aborted and excluded from analysis. Median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) in primary and recurrent patients was 21 (IQR: 11-28) and 21 (IQR: 6-31). Upper abdominal surgery was required in 95 % (n = 125) of primary and 89 % (n = 47) of recurrent patients. Bowel resections were performed in 83 % (n = 110) and 72 % (n = 38), respectively. Complete cytoreduction (CC-0/1) with no disease or residual lesions <2.5 mm was achieved in 95 % (n = 125) of primary and 91 % (n = 48) of recurrent patients. Ninety-day Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV morbidity was 12 % (n = 16) and 21 % (n = 11), respectively. Median follow-up was 44 (95%CI: 33-55) months. Median overall survival in primary and recurrent EOC was 68 (95%CI: 45-91) and 50 (95%CI: 16-84) months. Median progression-free survival was 26 (95%CI: 22-30) and 14 (95%CI: 7-21) months, respectively. Perioperative collaboration between surgical and gynecological oncologists specializing in CRS allows safe performance of complete cytoreduction in the majority of patients with primary and recurrent EOC, despite high tumor burden.
Outcomes after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal dissemination from ovarian carcinosarcoma
Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) is an uncommon and aggressive malignancy, with poor response to current treatment approaches and no clear guidelines. Our aim is to evaluate the outcomes of an OCS cohort after cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). A descriptive cohort study was performed. Patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC for peritoneal dissemination from tubo-ovarian malignancies (1999-2021) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of FIGO stage III/IV OCS were included. Overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined with the Kaplan-Meier method. Of 267 patients with tubo-ovarian malignancies reviewed, 7.5% (20/267) had OCS. Of these, 16 underwent CRS/HIPEC, including 9 for a new diagnosis and 7 for disease recurrence. Median age at surgery was 66.5 (IQR: 54.5-74.5) years. Nine (56.2%) patients were FIGO stage IV. Median peritoneal cancer index was 22 (IQR: 14-28). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 15/16 (93.7%) cases. HIPEC agents included carboplatin (n = 7), cisplatin+doxorubicin (n = 4), and melphalan (n = 5). Major complications occurred in 4/16 (25%), with no 90-day mortality. Median follow-up was 41.8 months. Median PFS was 11.7 (95%CI: 10.5-17.1) months. Malignant bowel obstruction occurred in 3/16 (18.7%). Median OS from CRS/HIPEC was 21.3 (95%CI: 16.3-31.6) months, not reached for newly diagnosed vs 19.7 months for recurrent patients (p = 0.23). CRS/HIPEC showed promising survival and abdominal disease control with low rates of malignant obstruction in patients with advanced stage OCS. Collaborative studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up may further elucidate the role of CRS/HIPEC in OCS.
Critical Analysis of Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients after Treatment with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy followed by Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC)
Background. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) showed promise as initial treatment for stage IIIC (SIII) epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC); however, stage IV (SIV) outcomes are rarely reported. We assessed our experience and outcomes treating newly diagnosed SIV EOC with NACT plus CRS/HIPEC compared to SIII patients. Methods. Advanced EOC from 2015–2018 managed with NACT (carboplatin/paclitaxel) due to unresectable disease or poor performance status followed by interval CRS/HIPEC were reviewed. Perioperative factors were assessed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed by stage. Results. Twenty-seven FIGO stage IIIC (n = 12) and IV (n = 15) patients were reviewed. Median NACT cycles were 3 and 4, respectively. Post-NACT omental caking, ascites, and pleural effusions decreased/resolved in 91%, 91%, and 100% of SIII and 85%, 92%, and 71% of SIV. SIII/SIV median PCI was 21 and 20 obtaining 92% and 100% complete cytoreduction (≤0.25 cm), respectively. Median organ resections were 6 and 7, respectively. Grade III/IV surgical complications were 0% SIII and 23% SIV, without hospital mortality. Median time to adjuvant chemotherapy was 53 and 74 days, respectively ( p = 0.007 ). SIII OS at 1 and 2 years was 100% and 83% and 87% and 76% in SIV ( p = 0.269 ). SIII 1-year PFS was 54%; median PFS: 12 months. SIV 1- and 2- year PFS was 47% and 23%; median PFS: 12 months ( p = 0.944 ). Conclusion. Outcomes in select initially diagnosed and unresectable SIV EOC are similar to SIII after NACT plus CRS/HIPEC. SIV EOC may benefit from CRS/HIPEC, and further studies should explore this treatment approach.
CervicalMethDx: A Precision DNA Methylation Test to Identify Risk of High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesions in Cervical Cancer Screening Algorithms
Abstract Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Despite progress in prevention and success in early detection through cytologic screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) detection, there remains a challenge in triaging women appropriately to colposcopy and biopsy. We sought to validate the CervicalMethDx test, a precision DNA methylation classifier for cervical cancer detection, as a reflex test in women with HPV-positive samples. A blinded retrospective study was performed on well-characterized samples in PreservCyt media from a large referral clinical laboratory in the United States. DNA methylation was assessed in three gene promoters (ZNF516, FKBP6, and INTS1) and a control gene (β-actin) by quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) analysis, using machine learning algorithms. We compared DNA methylation levels in HPV-positive patients presenting with lesions in the Pap test and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or CIN3 histologic diagnosis with DNA methylation levels in HPV-positive patients with lesions in the Pap test but no intraepithelial lesion or malignancy. The CervicalMethDx test correctly classified 95% of the CIN2 samples (n = 210), with 91% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.96, and 94% of CIN3 samples (n = 141), with 90% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and an AUC of 0.96. Moreover, the CervicalMethDx test correctly classified 94% of combined CIN2/CIN3 samples (n = 351), with 93% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and an AUC of 0.96. CervicalMethDx demonstrated strong discriminatory power for identifying CIN2/CIN3 risk and may complement current triage strategies for colposcopy referral. Prospective, population-based studies, including those in low-resource settings, are needed for further evaluation. Prevention Relevance: The CervicalMethDx test integrates DNA methylation analysis and machine learning to improve early detection of high-grade cervical lesions (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions), offering a noninvasive, cost-effective screening tool. Enhanced risk stratification and overtreatment reduction expand equitable access to precision prevention programs. Further validation will clarify CervicalMethDx’s alignment with global cervical cancer prevention strategies.
