Publications by authors named "Fanfani F"

Background: To date, 11 DNA polymerase epsilon (POLE) pathogenic variants have been declared "hotspot" mutations. Patients with endometrial cancer (EC) characterized by POLE hotspot mutations (POLEmut) have exceptional survival outcomes. Whereas international guidelines encourage deescalation of adjuvant treatment in early-stage POLEmut EC, data regarding safety in POLEmut patients with unfavorable characteristics are still under investigation.

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Background: In 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT 3.5, which is now widely used in medical education, training, and research. Despite its valuable use for the generation of information, concerns persist about its authenticity and accuracy.

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Background: The advantages and disadvantages of Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery (RLS) compared to other minimally invasive surgical approaches are debated in the literature.

Objective: To evaluate the learning curves (LC) and their assessment methods for Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery (RLS) and Laparoscopic Surgery (LPS) in gynaecologic procedures.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed including the English language observational or interventional studies reporting the absolute number of procedures needed to achieve competency in RLS and LPS gynaecologic procedures, along with an objective and reproducible LC assessment method.

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Endometrial cancer (EC) with Mismatch Repair deficiency (MMRd) is characterized by the accumulation of insertions/deletions at microsatellite sites. These mutations lead to the synthesis of frameshift peptides (FSPs) that represent tumor-specific neoantigens (nAg) proved to be shared across patients/tumors with MMRd. In this study, we explored the feasibility of a nAg-based cancer vaccination design in EC with MMRd.

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: Endometrial cancer is currently the sixth most frequent cancer in women, and scientific research is focusing on the search for particular features of the endometrium that may explain a further predisposition to the onset of endometrial cancer, aimed at improving knowledge of the pathogenetic factors of this disease. The aim of our review is to analyze in detail the results of the literature on the endometrial microbiota in patients with endometrial cancer and to investigate its role. : We performed our research on the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.

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Introduction: There is a demand for intraoperative diagnostic support and image guidance in oncological surgery. Novel techniques can provide images similar to histopathological slides within a few minutes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and full-field OCT (FF-OCT) provide images with resolution greater than a hundred micrometers without the need for exogenous contrast agents or specimen staining.

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Purpose: To investigate whether the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) without neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a benefit on progression-free survival (PFS), as opposed to SCS alone in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (platinum-free interval, >6 months).

Methods: This was a multicenter randomized phase III study. Random assignment was performed at the time of surgery in cases with residual tumor ≤0.

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Article Synopsis
  • - This study investigates how effective MRI is at identifying remaining cervical cancer after patients receive platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, particularly in pregnant women.
  • - The research involved 12 pregnant patients treated between 2010 and 2021, assessing tumor size and status through MRI before and after treatment, where most patients showed residual disease post-therapy.
  • - Results indicate that MRI is highly sensitive (100%) in detecting residual disease, suggesting it is a reliable method to evaluate treatment response in pregnant cervical cancer patients.
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Background: The proliferation of several robotic platforms presents an opportunity to pinpoint the most suitable system for specific procedures and patient profiles. This study aims to explore differences in complications and functional outcomes among patients undergoing deep endometriosis excision with the da Vinci surgical system compared to the Hugo RAS system.

Method: This is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study.

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Background: Genomic profiling-based model (GP-M) is the gold-standard for endometrial cancer (EC) molecular classification, but several issues related to the availability of genomic sequencing in low-income settings remain and health disparities in the management are increasing. This study aims to investigate the non-inferiority of the immunohistochemistry-alone model in classifying ECs compared to the standard genomic profiling-based model in terms of oncologic outcomes.

Methods: All preoperative uterine-confined ECs undergoing surgical staging were retrospectively included.

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Introduction: To evaluate the prognostic impact of substantial lymph vascular space invasion (LVSI) on the sentinel lymph node involvement and recurrence rate of patients with apparent uterine-confined endometrial cancer.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients with apparent confined endometrial cancer who underwent surgical staging with sentinel node mapping from 14 European reference centers. LVSI was analyzed semi-quantitatively, according to a 3-tiered scoring system classified as absent, focal, and substantial.

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Background: Uterine scar defect (also called uterine niche or isthmocele) associated to retained products of conception (RPOC) is an uncommon occurrence following caesarean section. Typically, the primary indicator is abnormal vaginal bleeding, and an accurate diagnosis can be established through ultrasound evaluation. Several surgical and endoscopic treatments have been described.

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Background: Technological advances in visual systems have contributed to overcoming the limitations in spatial perception of minimally invasive techniques. To date, there is a lack of literature on the advantages of 3D vision systems over 4K in laparoscopic surgery, although benefits have been observed in the training setting.

Objectives: To compare operating times, perioperative outcomes, and task achievement using 3D and 4K vision systems for vaginal cuff closure performed by residents during total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).

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Background: Despite discouragement from many scientific societies, routine preoperative testing remains a common practice. Minor gynaecological surgery, being widely performed in everyday practice, represents an opportunity for implementing cost-reduction policies by avoiding unnecessary diagnostic assessments.

Objectives: To assess whether performing routine preoperative blood tests affects postoperative complications and cost-effectiveness in patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery.

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This narrative review describes the state of the art in the management of anastomotic leakage in ovarian cancer. Multiple surgical procedures, including bowel resection, are often required to achieve "optimal" cytoreduction in locally advanced ovarian cancer. Intestinal anastomosis is currently the most common way to restore bowel continuity.

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Background: The intrauterine manipulator used during a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer has been suggested as a reason for worsening oncologic outcomes. However, only a few non-randomized retrospective studies have investigated this association.

Primary Objectives: To compare 4-year recurrence-free survival in the group of patients who undergo hysterectomy using an intrauterine manipulator with that of those who undergo hysterectomy without it.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, alongside other societies, created evidence-based guidelines for fertility-sparing strategies in patients with cervical and ovarian cancers, as well as borderline ovarian tumors.
  • - These guidelines were developed through a thorough literature review and involved a diverse group of 25 experts in multiple medical fields, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
  • - Prior to release, the guidelines were vetted by 121 independent cancer care professionals and patient representatives, addressing key aspects of initial management, fertility optimization, and future pregnancy desires.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the prevalence of peritoneal metastasis in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and how it affects treatment and prognosis.
  • It found that 13.2% of the 251 patients had peritoneal metastasis, significantly impacting treatment plans for many of them.
  • The research also revealed that standard imaging techniques like PET/CT and MRI have low sensitivity in detecting peritoneal disease, emphasizing the need for routine diagnostic laparoscopy in high-risk patients.
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After the publication of the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial, open surgery has become the standard approach for radical hysterectomy in early stage cervical cancer. Recent studies assessed the role of a non-radical approach in low risk cervical cancer and showed no survival difference compared with radical hysterectomy. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive simple hysterectomy in low risk cervical cancer.

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Objective: Management of endometrial cancer is advancing, with accurate staging crucial for guiding treatment decisions. Understanding sentinel lymph node (SLN) involvement rates across molecular subgroups is essential. To evaluate SLN involvement in early-stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 I-II) endometrial cancer, considering molecular subtypes and new European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) risk classification.

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Port site metastasis (PSM) has been reported as a rare metastasis in women with endometrial carcinoma (EC). However, even more rarely, it has also been described in patients with low- or intermediate-risk EC. Unfortunately, knowledge appears limited on the topic.

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Objectives: Transvaginal ultrasound is typically the initial diagnostic approach in patients with postmenopausal bleeding for detecting endometrial atypical hyperplasia/cancer. Although transvaginal ultrasound demonstrates notable sensitivity, its specificity remains limited. The objective of this study was to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound through the integration of artificial intelligence.

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Cervical cancer continues to have a significant incidence, despite global efforts in HPV vaccination campaigns. Managing this condition involves a diverse team of healthcare professionals. Research in this field is undergoing a period of great revolution in multiple areas, and international guidelines will soon have to adapt to new scientific evidence.

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Introduction: Although the management of gynecological cancers recurrences may be challenging, due to the heterogeneity of recurrent disease, the aim of this work is to present a descriptive analysis of gynecological malignancies recurrences in our institution treated by robotic approach.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective review and analysis of data of patients who underwent robotic surgery for recurrent gynecological malignancies at Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, from January 2013 to January 2024.

Results: A total of 54 patients underwent successful robotic cytoreductive surgery.

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