Combined methotrexate-dactinomycin: an effective therapy for low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the outcomes of combined chemotherapy using methotrexate and dactinomycin in the management of women with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). The primary outcome is the total number of cycles of chemotherapy required to achieve a normal level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The secondary outcome is treatment-related toxicity.

Urine metabolite analysis offers potential early diagnosis of ovarian and breast cancers.

Purpose: Metabolomics is a new, rapidly expanding field dedicated to the global study of metabolites in biological systems. In this article metabolomics is applied to find urinary biomarkers for breast and ovarian cancer.

Experimental Design: Urine samples were collected from early- and late-stage breast and ovarian cancer patients during presurgical examinations and randomly from females with no known cancer.

A population-based study of the determinants of physical activity in ovarian cancer survivors.

Background: Regular physical activity is associated with quality of life and other health-related outcomes in ovarian cancer survivors, but participation rates are low. This study investigated the determinants of physical activity in ovarian cancer survivors.

Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional, mailed survey of ovarian cancer survivors in Alberta, Canada, was performed.

Physical activity in ovarian cancer survivors: associations with fatigue, sleep, and psychosocial functioning.

Unlabelled: Physical activity has been associated with better health-related outcomes in several cancer survivor groups but very few data exist for women with ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between physical activity and health-related outcomes in ovarian cancer survivors and to examine any dose-response relationship.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional postal survey of ovarian cancer survivors on and off treatment identified through the Alberta Cancer Registry was performed.

Physical activity preferences of ovarian cancer survivors.

Objective: Regular physical activity is positively associated with quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors, but no data exist on how best to promote activity in this population. This study investigated the interests and preferences of ovarian cancer survivors with regard to physical activity participation.

Methods: A provincial, population-based postal survey of ovarian cancer survivors in Alberta, Canada, was performed including measures of self-reported physical activity, medical and demographic variables, and physical activity preferences.

Associations between physical activity and quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of physical activity in ovarian cancer survivors and to determine if there is a dose-response relationship between physical activity and quality of life.

Methods: Ovarian cancer survivors identified from a Canadian provincial cancer registry were mailed a questionnaire measuring self-reported leisure time physical activity (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire), cancer-specific quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian), and standard demographic and medical variables.

Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 359 (51.

Atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H): a result not to be ignored.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the risk of a clinically significant lesion associated with the diagnosis of atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) on cervical cytology (Pap smear).

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, descriptive study. A computerized database containing cytologic and histologic information for the health region was used to identify women with a diagnosis of ASC-H on a Pap smear performed between January 1 and December 31, 2002.

Early cervical cancer and parametrial involvement: is it significant?

Objective: To determine the incidence of parametrial involvement in clinical stage IA and IB1 cervical cancer and whether pelvic lymph node status is a predictor of parametrial status.

Methods: Retrospective review of 120 patients with FIGO stage IA/IB1 cervical carcinoma treated by class II radical abdominal hysterectomy between January 1997 and December 2001 was performed. The parametria were examined for microscopic involvement of parametrial lymph nodes and/or tissue.

Histologic and clinical significance of atypical glandular cells on pap smears.

Objective: To determine the association between atypical glandular cells (AGC) on Pap smear and clinically significant histology, in a large health region.

Methods: A cytologic database of over one million Pap smears was reviewed for a result of AGUS/AGC. Cytologic and histologic follow up was obtained to establish the presence of significant histology.

The relationship between atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance on Pap smear and a clinically significant histologic diagnosis.

Objective: To determine whether the cytologic diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) on Pap smear was associated with a clinically significant histologic diagnosis.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on the charts of women diagnosed with AGUS on Pap smear in 2 referral colposcopy clinics, between January 1999 and July 2002. The factors considered included age, menstrual status, use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, parity, referral Pap, type of evaluation at colposcopy, histologic diagnosis, and final diagnosis at pathology.

A randomized controlled trial of early versus "traditional" postoperative oral intake after major abdominal gynecologic surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare early oral intake and the traditional timing of feeding after major gynecologic surgery and the effects on the length of hospital stay.

Study Design: Gynecologic oncology and urogynecology patients who underwent major abdominal gynecologic surgery were prospectively randomized to 1 of 2 groups. The traditional feeding group (group A, 49 patients) received nothing by mouth until documentation of bowel function.

Postoperative chemotherapy in advanced ovarian granulosa cell tumors.

The objective of this research is to assess the use of first-line postoperative chemotherapy in patients with advanced ovarian granulosa cell tumor (GCT). A retrospective population-based case series identified 60 women with stage IC or greater ovarian GCT over a 25-year period. Five patients were excluded because of incomplete information.

The natural history of CIN I lesions.

The published literature indicates 11% of CIN I lesions on average progress to a higher grade dysplasia and the remainder either regress or persist. Reliable markers of disease outcome are yet to be identified. A longitudinal study of 342 women referred for colposcopic examination of a CIN I detected by a screening Pap test, and classified by the colposcopic impression and Pap test at that exam as View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Predictors of co-incidental CIN II/III amongst a cohort of women with CIN I detected by a screening Pap test.

Approximately 20-40% of lesions interpreted by a screening Pap test as CIN I and subsequently examined by colposcopy include a co-incidental CIN II/III. Since the HPV profiles of CIN I and CIN II/III differ, HPV typing may predict these co-incidental higher grade lesions. Based on both the colposcopic impression and repeat Pap test, 537 women referred for examination of CIN I as classified by a screening Pap test were triaged into group A (/= CIN II).

The HPV determinants of CIN I.

Correlates of HPV amongst a cohort of women with a CIN I detected by a screening Pap test were investigated. Co-incident CIN II/III lesions were identified and their influence on the HPV status and HPV determinants of screening detected CIN I was assessed. Based on both the colposcopic impression and repeat Pap test, 537 women referred for examination of a Pap test classified as CIN I were triaged into two groups.

Good outcome associated with a standardized treatment protocol using selective postoperative radiation in patients with clinical stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

In 1982, a treatment protocol was instituted for the management of patients with clinical stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. All pertinent historical, operative, and pathologic findings were reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee and 384 patients were prospectively assigned to either high- or low-risk categories. Patients were excluded from the study if they had clinically apparent extrauterine disease, clear cell or serous histologies, or microscopic ovarian metastasis.

A paired comparison of dot blot hybridization and PCR amplification for HPV testing of cervical scrapes interpreted as CIN 1.

The rate of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) detection in CIN 1 lesions is quite variable for several reasons. Amongst these, the sensitivity level of the HPV detection system probably ranks supreme. The prevalence of HPV DNA in cervical scrape samples from 234 patients referred for colposcopic investigation of a CIN 1 lesion was compared using dot blot hybridization (DBH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification.

Novel, dose intensive, single-agent cisplatin in the first-line management of advanced stage ovarian cancer.

Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is the current standard chemotherapy for the management of advanced stage, epithelial ovarian cancer. However, correlation has been demonstrated previously between dose intensity and response for cisplatin, but not for the other cytotoxic drugs commonly used. We treated 46 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients following standard debulking laparotomy with cisplatin 60 mg m-2 every 2 weeks for a total of 8 cycles.