Publications by authors named "Berek J"

Objective: We evaluated the accuracy of oncologists' estimates of expected survival time in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Methods: Oncologists estimated expected survival time at baseline for each patient, who were then followed up for survival time. We hypothesized that oncologists' estimates of expected survival time would be independently significant predictors of survival, unbiased (approximately equal proportions [50%] living longer versus shorter than their expected survival time), or imprecise (<30% within 0.

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Incorporation of pathological and (not mandatory) molecular features into the new FIGO 2023 staging system has generated some controversy. Several validations have been published recently that demonstrated the higher prognostic precision of FIGO 2023 compared to the previous FIGO 2009 scheme. In the present article, the authors want to respond to some concerns that were raised by some pathologists and clinicians.

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Epithelial ovarian cancer, with the highest mortality rate among gynecologic malignancies, often goes undetected until advanced stages due to non-specific symptoms. Traditional prevention strategies such as bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) are limited to high-risk women and induce surgical menopause, often leading to significant health concerns. Recent findings suggest that many serous epithelial ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes rather than the ovaries.

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Background: Given the synergistic relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, knowledge of the genotypic prevalence and associated factors of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) among HIV-infected women is crucial for developing targeted interventions such as appropriate screening tests and effective genotype-specific vaccination.

Objectives: We determined the prevalence of any HR-HPV and multiple HR-HPV infections and identified associated factors among a cohort of women living with HIV infections (WLHIV) in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study analysed the data of 516 WLHIV who underwent cervical cancer screening as part of the at the HIV treatment centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital from July 2023 to March 2024.

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Background: Despite the availability of effective vaccines, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake remains low in most resource-limited settings including Nigeria. Mobile health technology (mHealth) may empower patients to control their health, reduce inequalities, and improve the uptake of HPV vaccination.

Aim: The study will assess the effects of mHealth using short text messages on the uptake of HPV vaccination among mothers of unvaccinated girls aged 9-14 years and also determine the factors influencing the uptake of HPV vaccination among these mothers.

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Background: Despite the availability of effective vaccines, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake remains low in most resource-limited settings including Nigeria. Mobile health technology (mHealth) has the potential to empower patients to manage their health, reduce health disparities, and enhance the uptake of HPV vaccination.

Aim: The "mHealth-HPVac" study will assess the effects of mHealth using short text messages on the uptake of HPV vaccination among mothers of unvaccinated girls aged 9-14 years and also determine the factors influencing the uptake of HPV vaccination among these mothers.

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Purpose: Our prospective international survey evaluated the impact of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management gynaecological malignancies from the multidisciplinary physicians' perspective with particular focus on clinical infrastructures and trial participation.

Methods: Our survey consisted of 53 COVID-related questions. It was sent to healthcare professionals in gynaecological oncology centres across Europe and Pan-Arabian region via the study groups and gynaecological societies from April 2020 to October 2020.

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Objective: To report long-term efficacy and safety of selinexor maintenance therapy in adults with TP53 wild-type (TP53wt) stage IV or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) who achieved partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) following chemotherapy.

Methods: Analysis of the prespecified, exploratory subgroup of patients with TP53wt EC from the phase 3 SIENDO study was performed. Progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with TP53wt EC and across other patient subgroups were exploratory endpoints.

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Reproductive cancers, encompassing various malignancies like endometrial, ovarian, cervical cancer, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, pose a significant global health burden. Understanding their patterns is vital for effective prevention and management. Contraceptives show a protective effect against some of these cancers.

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Embracing the complex and diverse nature of the heterogenous group of malignancies that are included under the umbrella of "endometrial cancer" (EC) to better align prognosis with treatment recommendations, requires a more comprehensive staging system. Our goal at the development of the new FIGO staging was to provide 1) high accuracy in the predictive prognosis for a patient with EC, which is the genuine purpose of a staging system, and 2) identification of distinct treatment relevant subgroups. Since the publication of the 2009 staging system by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 14  years ago (1, 2), our understanding of the biology and natural history of EC has undergone a radical transformation.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aims to assess the baseline symptom burden experienced by patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and its relationship with progression-free survival and overall survival.
  • Analysis involved 948 patients with either platinum-resistant or potentially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer receiving advanced chemotherapy, revealing that a significant majority experienced mild to severe symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and anxiety.
  • Results showed that higher symptom burden was linked to reduced progression-free survival and overall survival, highlighting the need for effective symptom management in clinical settings and trials.
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Article Synopsis
  • Fertility preservation is increasingly important in reproductive medicine, particularly when patients require treatments like chemotherapy or surgery that may affect fertility.
  • Discussions about fertility preservation should be held with patients, including those with benign or malignant conditions and those managing transgender identity.
  • Cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes, and gonadal tissue can offer long-term fertility options, highlighting the need for a specialized, multidisciplinary approach in patient care.
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Purpose: To determine whether the addition of cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CT) to pelvic radiation therapy (RT) will improve the survival of early-stage, high-risk patients with cervical carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Patients with clinical stage IA, IB, and IIA carcinoma of the cervix, initially treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, and who had positive pelvic lymph nodes and/or positive margins and/or microscopic involvement of the parametrium were eligible for this study. Patients were randomized to receive RT or RT + CT.

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Introduction: Many advances in the understanding of the pathologic and molecular features of endometrial cancer have occurred since the FIGO staging was last updated in 2009. Substantially more outcome and biological behavior data are now available regarding the several histological types. Molecular and genetic findings have accelerated since the publication of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and provide improved clarity on the diverse biological nature of this collection of endometrial cancers and their differing prognostic outcomes.

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Objective: A cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment can disrupt the full spectrum of physical, social, emotional, and functional quality of life. But existing psychological treatments are focused primarily on specific psychological symptoms as opposed to improving the overall patient experience. We studied the feasibility and efficacy of a novel digital intervention targeting patient mindsets-core assumptions about the nature and meaning of illness-designed to improve overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in newly diagnosed cancer patients undergoing treatment with curative intent.

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Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women and the most lethal gynecologic cancer. It is curable when discovered at an early stage, but usually remains asymptomatic until advanced stages. It is crucial to diagnose the disease before it metastasizes to distant organs for optimal patient management.

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Introduction: Many advances in the understanding of the pathologic and molecular features of endometrial cancer have occurred since the FIGO staging was last updated in 2009. Substantially more outcome and biological behavior data are now available regarding the several histological types. Molecular and genetic findings have accelerated since the publication of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and provide improved clarity on the diverse biological nature of this collection of endometrial cancers and their differing prognostic outcomes.

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Background: Side-effect concerns are a major barrier to vaccination against COVID-19 and other diseases. Identifying cost- and time-efficient interventions to improve vaccine experience and reduce vaccine hesitancy-without withholding information about side effects-is critical.

Purpose: Determine whether a brief symptom as positive signals mindset intervention can improve vaccine experience and reduce vaccine hesitancy after the COVID-19 vaccination.

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Importance: Germline genetic testing is recommended by practice guidelines for patients diagnosed with cancer to enable genetically targeted treatment and identify relatives who may benefit from personalized cancer screening and prevention.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of germline genetic testing among patients diagnosed with cancer in California and Georgia between 2013 and 2019.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Observational study including patients aged 20 years or older who had been diagnosed with any type of cancer between January 1, 2013, and March 31, 2019, that was reported to statewide Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries in California and Georgia.

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Purpose: To update the American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline on the management of anxiety and depression in adult cancer survivors.

Methods: A multidisciplinary expert panel convened to update the guideline. A systematic review of evidence published from 2013-2021 was conducted.

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Unlabelled: In this analysis, we examined the relationship between progression-free survival (PFS) and mutation status of 18 homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in patients in the non-germline -mutated (non-gm) cohort of the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial (NCT01847274), which evaluated niraparib maintenance therapy for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. This exploratory biomarker analysis was performed using tumor samples collected from 331 patients enrolled in the phase III ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial's non-gm cohort. Niraparib demonstrated PFS benefit in patients with either somatic mutated (sm; HR, 0.

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The risk of progression of low-grade (CIN1) to high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3) is 3-5 times higher for women living with HIV (WLHIV) than for HIV-negative women. Evidence suggests that the current cervical cancer screening methods perform less effectively in WLHIV. An emerging screening method-p16/Ki-67 dual staining technology (DUST) is a safe and rapid assay that could be used to detect CIN2/3 with higher sensitivity and specificity.

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