Thomas Papathemelis

Long-term outcome of patients with intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer after pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection: a comparison of laparoscopic vs. open procedure

The primary therapy for intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer includes pelvic and paraaortic lymph node evaluation. Laparoscopic surgery is an increasingly popular intervention due to decreased risk and better short-term morbidity; however, a recent study casts doubt on the benefit of this approach in terms of oncological safety. In this cancer registry study, we sought to evaluate the benefit of laparoscopy versus laparotomy and retrospectively compared overall survival, recurrence rates, and recurrence-free survival among patients with intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer who underwent either laparoscopic or open surgery. This observational study included 419 patients who have been treated from 2011 to 2017. We employed Kaplan-Meier method, and univariable and multivariable Cox-regression to compare overall survival, recurrence rates, and recurrence-free survival in 110 patients, who underwent laparoscopic, with 309 patients, who underwent open surgery. To address the confounding bias in this retrospective study, we also performed a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis including 357 patients (laparoscopy: n = 107; open surgery: n = 250). We found a benefit for laparoscopic over open surgery in patients with intermediate- and high-risk endometrial cancer for overall survival in both univariable (p = 0.002; PSM: p = 0.016) and multivariable analyses (p = 0.019; PSM: p = 0.007). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference between both patient groups regarding the cumulative recurrence rates. A univariable analysis identified a significant benefit for laparoscopy regarding recurrence-free survival (p = 0.003; PSM: p = 0.029) but a multivariable analysis failed to confirm this finding (p = 0.108; PSM: p = 0.118). Our study provides evidence that laparoscopic systematic lymphadenectomy does not present a lower oncological efficacy than open surgery in the treatment of patients with endometrial cancer.

Value of indocyanine green pelvic lymph node mapping in the surgical approach of cervical cancer

Lymph node metastasis is a significant predictive factor for disease recurrence and survival in cervical cancer patients and relevant for therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the clinical value of indocyanine green (ICG) by measuring the sensitivity and negative predictive value of sentinel lymph node mapping compared with the gold standard of complete lymphadenectomy in detecting lymph node metastases for cervical cancer. We utilized the near-infrared imaging agent ICG to detect tumor-infested lymph nodes in the pelvis analogue to a classical sentinel lymph node procedure by analyzing data from 20 patients who had undergone surgery for cervical cancer at our institution. A laparoscopic lymph node mapping procedure by means of ICG, followed by a complete pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without paraaortic lymphadenectomy was done in all patients. Histological examination identified seven patients with tumor-positive pelvic nodes, whereas mapping with ICG identified only five of these patients. Detection rate of positive nodes by ICG mapping and false negative rate was 71.4% and 28.6%, respectively; bilateral detection rate was 83.3%. One of the two false negative patients additionally suffered from deep infiltrating endometriosis. Our results indicate that ICG can identify the relevant pelvic nodes independent of tumor size, provided bilateral detection is achieved and additional, related diseases are excluded. This trial is registered within the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00014692).

Risk factors and temporal patterns of recurrences in patients with vulvar cancer: implications for follow-up intervals and duration

To date, information on risk factors and temporal patterns of recurrences in patients with vulvar cancer is sparse. Conclusive data for an optimal surveillance strategy are lacking. This multicenter, retrospective population-based register study included 1412 patients who have been treated from 2000 to 2017 for vulvar cancer in the German districts of Upper Palatinate, Lower Bavaria, and Saxony-Anhalt. Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression were employed to evaluate prognostic factors and temporal course of overall survival, cumulative recurrence, and recurrence-free survival rates. After exclusion, the final study cohort comprised 829 patients. Most recurrences occurred within the first 3 years after diagnosis. Notably, a significant subset of patients were recurrent even after 5 years. The cumulative recurrence rate from all relapses was 18.6% 1 year after primary diagnosis. The recurrence rate increased to 34.7% after 3, to 41.8% after 5, and to 56.6% after 10 years post-diagnosis. The risk of relapse was significantly increased in patients over 70 years of age (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.7; p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.6-4.4), and in patients with positive nodal status N1 (HR = 2.0; p = 0.019; 95% CI 1.1-3.5) and N2/3 (HR = 2.2; p = 0.033; 95% CI 1.1-4.4). Our study provides compelling evidence that follow-up care should be carried out for longer than 5 years, especially for high-risk patients.

Endometrial Carcinoma: Comparison of Surgical Approaches (Laparoscopy vs Laparotomy)

Since the publication of the LAP2 study, a prospective randomized trial, laparoscopy has been considered the gold standard for treating patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). However, no prospective randomized trials have been published reporting comparable data in patients with EC at high risk of recurrence (advanced stages or non-endometrioid histology). Nonetheless, some retrospective studies and a systematic review of the literature have demonstrated that minimally invasive surgery achieves better perioperative outcomes than laparotomy without compromising survival in patients with EC at high risk of recurrence. The aim of this multicenter retrospective observational study is to evaluate the safety of minimally invasive surgery in treating EC at low, intermediate, and high risk of recurrence according to the ESMO-ESGO classification, based on cases treated in hospitals within the Emilia Romagna region. Specifically, we aim to assess the effects of a minimally invasive surgical approach compared to laparotomy in terms of: 1. Perioperative and postoperative complications: including the need for transfusions during and/or after surgery, duration of surgery, fever exceeding 38°C for more than 48 hours, and length of hospitalization. 2. Long-term oncological outcomes: including overall survival, disease-free survival, recurrence rates, recurrence sites, and time to recurrence. This comparison will include patients treated for both endometrioid and non-endometrioid EC to provide a comprehensive evaluation of minimally invasive surgery versus laparotomy. By delineating the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic techniques, particularly for higher-risk patients, this research could refine surgical standards and guide clinical decision-making, emphasizing evidence-based practices for tailored patient care. The study also aligns with broader efforts to optimize cancer management in regional and national healthcare settings.