The Significance of Para-Aortic Nodal Size and the Role of Adjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy in Cervical Cancer: An Institutional Experience.

Objective: Cervical cancer metastatic to the para-aortic lymph nodes (PALNs) carries a poor prognosis. Despite extended-field radiation therapy (EFRT), only 30% to 50% of patients will survive 3 years. We sought to examine the treatment regimens used, associated toxicities, and treatment outcomes in patients with cervical cancer metastatic to PALN.

Dysregulation of fibulin-5 and matrix metalloproteases in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Fibulin 5 (FBLN5) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that suppresses matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9), angiogenesis and epithelial cell motility. Here, we investigated the regulation and function of in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). FBLN5 mRNA was down-regulated 5-fold in EOC relative to benign ovary.

Emphasis on Systemic Therapy in Women With Pelvic Bone Metastasis at Time of Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer.

Objective: Cervical cancer presenting with metastases to the bony pelvis is rare. No available literature addresses the treatment and prognosis of these patients. Our objective was to review our experience treating women with this rare presentation.

Hypoalbuminemia is a Predictive Factor for Fistula Formation in Recurrent Cervical Cancer.

Objective: Antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibodies inhibit tumor angiogenesis, consequently impeding the recruitment of new vasculature to existing and new tumor lesions. We sought to evaluate toxicities in women with recurrent cervical cancer after receiving bevacizumab combination chemotherapy.

Methods: A review was conducted of women with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer who were treated with salvage chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab between 2005 and 2015.

Third-line Salvage Chemotherapy for Recurrent Carcinoma of the Cervix is Associated With Minimal Response Rate and High Toxicity.

Background: Metastatic and recurrent cervical cancer is rarely a curable disease. Systemic chemotherapy is typically recommended for treatment based on clinical trials in the first-line or second-line setting. Rare patients who progress through 2 salvage regimens will have the performance status, medical ability, and desire to continue cytotoxic therapy.

Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Outcomes With Variable Adherence to Treatment.

Objective: Adherence to treatment regimen and schedule is recommended to improve control of disease and overall survival (OS) in locally advanced cervical cancer. However, treatment-related toxicities and patient and physician factors all impact timely completion of treatment. We sought to correlate adherence to treatment plan with survival and toxicities of patients treated for locally advanced cervical cancer.

Factors associated with clinical trial screening failures in gynecologic oncology.

Objective: Low enrollment of adult cancer patients in clinical trials is an ongoing challenge in cancer research. We sought to determine factors associated with clinical trial screening failures in women with gynecologic malignancies at a large urban university health system.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of women with gynecologic malignancies who presented to an urban university system between 12/2009 and 12/2012.

Primary iliopsoas abscess and pregnancy.

Background: Iliopsoas abscesses, a rare complication in pregnancy, typically present as a secondary infection due to direct spread of another nearby infection.

Case: A 30-year-old multigravid patient with a 10-year history of intravenous heroin use and chronic lower-back pain, presented at 23 0/7 weeks of gestation with multiple cutaneous abscesses. As her back pain worsened during antepartum hospitalization, a primary iliopsoas abscess with underlying osteomyelitis was identified requiring percutaneous computed tomography-guided drainage along with extended-course intravenous antibiotics.