Yaprak Ustun

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma: a Turkish multicentric study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors for and determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on oncologic outcome in stage IVB pure serous endometrial carcinoma patients who received taxane and platinum. Forty-two patients with 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IVB uterine serous carcinoma were enrolled from six gynecologic oncology centers and a study group was created. The study group had a 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 32% and 2-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of 73%. On univariate analysis; lymphadenectomy (not performed vs. performed), paraaortic lymph node metastasis (positive vs. negative) and number of metastatic lymph node count (≤5 vs. >5) were found to have statistical significance for DFS (

Is hemoglobin A1c valuable for predicting concurrent endometrial cancer in diabetic women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia?

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c) level for endometrial cancer in diabetic women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). Six hundred patients with EIN were retrospectively studied in a tertiary referral center in Turkey between January 2014 and December 2021. One hundred and thirteen diabetic patients with EIN who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups according to the final pathological results: Group 1 with benign findings ( Mean preoperative HgA1c levels were different among three groups (5.41 ± 0.64, 6.01 ± 0.72, 6.65 ± 1.15, HgA1c could be used in prediction of endometrial cancer. The optimal cutoff value determined in our study could be considered in predicting endometrial cancer in diabetic women with EIN.

Preoperative hemoglobin A1c as a predictor of lymph node metastasis in diabetic women with endometrial cancer

Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a well-established marker for glycemic control; recent studies suggest its potential role in cancer prognosis. Understanding the relationship between preoperative HbA1c levels and lymph node metastasis (LNM) in diabetic women with endometrial cancer (EC) can enhance prognostic assessments and treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative HbA1c levels for LNM in diabetic women with EC. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 233 diabetic women who underwent surgery for endometrioid-type EC at a tertiary referral hospital between 2010 and 2021. Data collected included demographic information, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c levels, ultrasound findings, and tumor characteristics. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the predictive power of HbA1c levels for LNM. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for LNM. The mean preoperative HbA1c level was 7.03 ±1.37%. A cutoff HbA1c level ≥7.26% demonstrated a sensitivity of 73.7%, a specificity of 72.3% and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.781 for predicting LNM (p < 0.001). Significant correlations were found between HbA1c levels and endometrial thickness (r = 0.231, p < 0.001), primary tumor diameter (PTD) (r = 0.173, p = 0.008) and duration of diabetes (r = 0.203, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified HbA1c level (odds ratio (OR) = 2.621, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.722-3.987, p < 0.001), lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI) (OR = 19.193, 95% CI: 5.805-63.458, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.010-1.188, p = 0.029), and duration of diabetes (OR = 1.019, 95% CI: 1.001-1.301, p = 0.039) as independent risk factors for LNM. Preoperative HbA1c levels serve as a significant predictor for LNM in diabetic women with EC. A cutoff HbA1c level ≥7.26% indicates higher risk of LNM. These findings underscore the importance of glycemic control in reducing cancer progression risks and improving the prognosis of diabetic patients with EC. Integrating HbA1c monitoring into preoperative assessments can help tailor personalized treatment strategies for better outcomes.

Assessment of the differences in oncologic outcomes between patients with high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma and uterine serous carcinoma

AbstractAimTo evaluate whether the recurrence rates, recurrence patterns, and survival outcomes differed according to the primary site of the tumor in patients with high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and uterine serous carcinoma (USC).MethodsThe population of this multicenter retrospective study consisted of patients who had USC or HGSOC. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) estimates were determined using the Kaplan–Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log‐rank test.ResultsThe study cohort consisted of 247 patients with HGSOC and 34 with USC. Recurrence developed in 118 (51.1%) in the HGSOC group and 14 (42.4%) in the USC group (p = 0.352). The median time to recurrence was 23.5 (range, 4–144) and 17 (range, 4–43) months in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.055). The 3‐year PFS was 52% in the HGSOC group and 47% in the USC group (p = 0.450). Additionally, 3‐year DSS was 92% and 82% in the HGSOC and USC groups, respectively (p = 0.060).ConclusionsHGSOC and USC are aggressive tumors with high recurrence and mortality rates in advanced stages. These two carcinomas, which are similar in molecular features and clinical management, may also have similar recurrence patterns, disease failure, and survival rates.

A novel marker in the ovarian preservation approach to endometrial cancer: systemic immune inflammatory index

This study aims to to evaluate the frequency of ovarian involvement in endometrial cancer patients aged 50 years and younger, identify associated clinicopathological factors, and uniquely assess the role of the Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index (SII) in predicting ovarian involvement. Patients aged 50 years and younger diagnosed with endometrial cancer between 1992 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Two groups were formed based on adnexal involvement: those with (ovarian metastasis or synchronous ovarian cancer) and without adnexal involvement. Clinicopathological predictors of adnexal involvement were evaluated. Preoperative complete blood count values (platelet, leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts) were used to calculate inflammatory indices: PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio), NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), and SII (neutrophil × platelet / lymphocyte). A two-group analysis was performed based on the cut-off values of statistically significant parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Among 205 patients, histopathological ovarian metastasis was identified in 5.9% (n=12), and synchronous ovarian tumors in 2.4% (n=5). Significant differences were observed in neutrophil counts, NLR, and SII values between the groups (p<0.05). ROC analysis showed the optimal SII cut-off value as 992.58, with 70% sensitivity and 76% specificity (AUC=0.726). Ovarian involvement was significantly more frequent in patients with SII ≥ 992 (p<0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that myometrial invasion, LVSI, cervical stromal invasion, lymph node metastasis, omental involvement, grade of tumor, NLR and SII were significantly associated with ovarian involvement (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified histological grade, myometrial invasion, pelvic lymph node metastasis and SII as independent risk factors (p<0.05). Ovarian involvement is uncommon in patients under 50 years of age with low-grade tumors, absence of myometrial invasion, negative pelvic lymph nodes, and preoperative SII < 992.58. Ovarian-sparing surgery may be a safe option in selected cases, and SII could serve as a valuable index in guiding ovarian preservation decisions.

Surgery for patients with endometrioid-type endometrial cancer: is lymphadenectomy above the inferior mesenteric artery necessary?

The primary objective of this study was to identify the risk of metastasis to lymph nodes above the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EC) and the factors that influence metastasis. The study included patients who had been operated on for endometrioid-type EC in three gynecological oncology centers between 2007 and 2023. The supramesenteric lymph node (SM-LN) is the region between the left renal vein and the IMA, whereas the inframesenteric lymph node (IM-LN) is the region between the IMA and the aortic bifurcation, as determined by the level of the IMA. The study sample comprised 412 patients. The median number of lymph nodes excised per patient was 58. The median count was 37 for pelvic lymph nodes, 21 for para-aortic lymph nodes, 8 for IM-LN, and 13 for SM-LN. In the univariate analysis, the factors that were found to be statistically significant in determining SM-LN metastasis included tumor size, depth of myometrial invasion, uterine serosal invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), cervical invasion, peritoneal cytology, adnexal metastasis, omental metastasis, non-nodal extrauterine metastasis, pelvic lymph node metastasis, and IM-LN metastasis. In the multivariate analysis, SM-LN metastasis was independently associated with tumor size, LVSI, pelvic lymph node metastasis, and IM-LN metastasis. In conclusion, in cases of intermediate-high risk EC, it is important to know that the disease spreads to SM-LN in 7.3% of patients. The efficacy of postoperative adjuvant treatment may be inadequate due to a lack of information regarding the SM-LN region.

Defining the relationship between ovarian adult granulosa cell tumors and synchronous endometrial pathology: Does ovarian tumor size correlate with endometrial cancer?

Abstract Objective The main feature of adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) is their capacity to secrete hormones, with nearly all of them capable of synthesizing oestradiol. The primary goal of this study is to identify synchronized endometrial pathologies, particularly endometrial cancer, in AGCT patients who had undergone a hysterectomy. Materials and Methods The study cohort comprised retrospectively of 316 AGCT patients from 10 tertiary gynecological oncology centers. AGCT surgery consisted of bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy, hysterectomy, peritoneal cytology, omentectomy, and the excision of any suspicious lesion. The median tumor size value was used to define the relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer. The relationship between each value and endometrial cancer was evaluated. Results Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, or hyperplasia with complex atypia, was detected in 7.3% of patients, and endometrial cancer in 3.1% of patients. Age, menopausal status, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, ascites, and CA‐125 level were not statistically significant factors to predict endometrial cancer. There was no endometrial cancer under the age of 40, and 97.8% of women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia were over the age of 40. During the menopausal period, the endometrial cancer risk was 4.5%. Developing endometrial cancer increased to 12.1% from 3.2% when the size of the tumor was &gt;150 mm in menopausal patients ( p  = 0.036). Conclusion Endometrial hyperplasia, or cancer, occurs in approximately 30% of AGCT patients. Patients diagnosed with AGCT, especially those older than 40 years, should be evaluated for endometrial pathologies. There may be a relationship between tumor size and endometrial cancer, especially in menopausal patients.

Prognostic factors of adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary: a Turkish retrospective multicenter study

To define the clinical, histopathological features and the prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with adult granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (AGCT). A 322 patients whose final pathologic outcome was AGCT treated at nine tertiary oncology centers between 1988 and 2021 participated in the study. The mean age of the patients was 51.3±11.8 years and ranged from 21 to 82 years. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2014, 250 (77.6%) patients were stage I, 24 (7.5%) patients were stage II, 20 (6.2%) patients were stage III, and 3 (7.8%) were stage IV. Lymphadenectomy was added to the surgical procedure in 210 (65.2%) patients. Lymph node involvement was noted in seven (3.3%) patients. Peritoneal cytology was positive in 19 (5.9%) patients, and 13 (4%) had metastases in the omentum. Of 285 patients who underwent hysterectomy, 19 (6.7%) had complex hyperplasia with atypia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, and 8 (2.8%) had grade 1 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. It was found that 93 (28.9%) patients in the study group received adjuvant treatment. Bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin was the most commonly used chemotherapy protocol. The median follow-up time of the study group was 41 months (range, 1-276 months). It was noted that 34 (10.6%) patients relapsed during this period, and 9 (2.8%) patients died because of the disease. The entire cohort had a 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 86% and a 5-year disease-specific survival of 98%. Recurrences were observed only in the pelvis in 13 patients and the extra-abdominal region in 7 patients. The recurrence rate increased 6.168-fold in patients with positive peritoneal cytology (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.914-19.878; p=0.002), 3.755-fold in stage II-IV (95% CI=1.275-11.063; p=0.016), and 2.517-fold in postmenopausal women (95% CI=1.017-6.233; p=0.046) increased. In this study, lymph node involvement was detected in 3.3% of patients with AGCT. Therefore, it was concluded that lymphadenectomy can be avoided in primary surgical treatment. Positive peritoneal cytology, stage, and menopausal status were independent prognostic predictors of DFS.

“Identification of Malignancy Risk Factors in Endometrial Pathologies: The Role of Clinical, Laboratory Parameters, and Peripheral Blood Inflammatory Indices”

ABSTRACT Objective Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) and increased endometrial thickness are key clinical indicators that may suggest underlying malignancies. While endometrial biopsy remains the diagnostic gold standard, its invasiveness underscores the need for alternative, noninvasive biomarkers. This study evaluates the potential of clinical, laboratory, and peripheral blood inflammatory indices (PBII) in distinguishing malignant from benign endometrial pathologies. Methods This retrospective study included 162 patients who underwent endometrial biopsy due to PMB and/or increased endometrial thickness between January 2023 and January 2024. Patients were categorized into benign ( n = 134) and malignant ( n = 28) groups. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected, PBII parameters were calculated, and comparisons were performed. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of malignancy. Results Malignant cases were significantly associated with older age ( p &lt; 0.001), longer postmenopausal duration ( p = 0.002), higher body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.018), and greater endometrial thickness ( p = 0.042) compared to benign cases. Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower ( p = 0.022), while neutrophil ( p &lt; 0.001) and monocyte ( p = 0.042) counts were notably higher in malignant cases. Among PBII parameters, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII), pan‐immune‐inflammation value (PIV), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were significantly elevated ( p &lt; 0.001 for all). Multivariate analysis identified older age ( p &lt; 0.001), lower hemoglobin ( p = 0.016), higher neutrophil count ( p = 0.030), and increased PIV ( p = 0.022) as independent predictors of malignancy. Conclusion Integrating clinical and laboratory parameters with PBII, particularly PIV, may be a valuable, noninvasive tool for the early detection and risk stratification of endometrial malignancies. This approach could enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce the need for invasive biopsies, and improve patient management.