A comparison of quality-of-life domains and clinical factors in ovarian cancer patients: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Context: Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are at risk for reduced quality of life (QOL). It is imperative to further define these declines to interpret treatment outcomes and design appropriate clinical interventions.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to compare data obtained from ovarian cancer patients with normative data to assess the degree to which QOL differs from the norm.

Comparison of 3- and 2-dimensional sonographic techniques for counting ovarian follicles.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare 3-dimensional (3D) and 2-dimensional (2D) ovarian follicle counts and 3D counts using stored volumes between experienced and inexperienced operators.

Methods: Follicles larger than 5 mm were counted on 1 randomly selected ovary. Two-dimensional follicle counts were compared with stored 3D volumes by the same experienced operator (registered diagnostic medical sonographer [RDMS]).

Radiation therapy compared with pelvic node resection for node-positive vulvar cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To report long-term survival and toxicity of radiation compared with pelvic node resection for patients with groin node-positive vulvar cancer.

Methods: A Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol enrolled 114 patients randomly allocated to postoperative pelvic and groin radiation (45-50 Gy, n=59) or to ipsilateral pelvic node resection (n=55) after radical vulvectomy and inguinal lymphadenectomy. Retrospective analyses for 114 enrolled patients included both risk of progression and death after treatment and assessment of toxicity.

Assessment of factors that contribute to decreased quality of life in Gynecologic Oncology Group ovarian cancer trials.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess which quality-of-life (QOL) line items on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian (FACT-O) were associated with low QOL in women who were receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Methods: Patients with stage III or IV ovarian cancer on Gynecologic Oncology Group Protocols 152 and 172 who underwent primary surgery followed by intravenous paclitaxel and cisplatin completed the FACT-O. The FACT scale includes the 4 domains of physical, functional, social, and emotional well being (PWB, FWB, SWB, EWB, respectively).

Activation of P2X(7)-mediated apoptosis Inhibits DMBA/TPA-induced formation of skin papillomas and cancer in mice.

Background: The study tested the hypothesis that apoptosis can prevent and control growth of neoplastic cells. Previous studies in-vitro have shown that the pro-apoptotic P2X(7) receptor regulates growth of epithelial cells. The specific objective of the present study was to understand to what degree the P2X(7) system controls development and growth of skin cancer in vivo, and what cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in the P2X(7) action.

Platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy favorably impacts survival outcomes in stage I uterine papillary serous carcinoma.

Background: A study was undertaken to determine recurrence patterns and survival outcomes of stage I uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) patients.

Methods: A retrospective, multi-institutional study of stage I UPSC patients diagnosed from 1993 to 2006 was performed. Patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging; postoperative treatment included observation (OBS); radiotherapy alone (RT); or platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy (CT) +/- RT.

A randomized trial of a lifestyle intervention in obese endometrial cancer survivors: quality of life outcomes and mediators of behavior change.

Background: To examine the effects of a 6 month lifestyle intervention on quality of life, depression, self-efficacy and eating behavior changes in overweight and obese endometrial cancer survivors.

Methods: Early stage endometrial cancer survivors were randomized to intervention (n = 23) or usual care (n = 22) groups. Chi-square, Student's t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used in intent-to-treat analyses.

Stage II uterine papillary serous carcinoma: Carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy improves recurrence and survival outcomes.

Objectives: To determine recurrence patterns and survival outcomes of stage II uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) patients treated by various modalities with an emphasis on carboplatin/paclitaxel-based chemotherapy (CT)+/-radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: A retrospective, multi-institution study of women with stage II UPSC diagnosed from 1992 to 2006 was performed. All patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging.

Indicators of survival duration in ovarian cancer and implications for aggressiveness of care.

Background: Ovarian cancer patients frequently receive chemotherapy near the end of life. The purpose of the current study was to develop indicators that characterize those ovarian cancer patients who have a short life span.

Methods: The medical charts of deceased epithelial ovarian cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed from 2000 through 2006.

Improved tolerance of primary chemotherapy with reduced-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel in elderly ovarian cancer patients.

Objective: Elderly cancer patients are less likely to tolerate chemotherapy. We sought to compare the toxicity profiles and outcomes of elderly ovarian cancer patients treated with standard versus reduced-dose i.v.

Feasibility and effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention program in obese endometrial cancer patients: a randomized trial.

Objective: The majority of endometrial cancer survivors (ECS) are obese and at risk for premature death. The purpose of this study was to assess feasibility of a lifestyle intervention program for promoting weight loss, change in eating behaviors, and increased physical activity in obese ECS.

Study Design: Early stage ECS (n=45) were randomized to a 6-month lifestyle intervention (LI; n=23) or usual care (UC; n=22).

Adjuvant treatment and survival in obese women with endometrial cancer: an international collaborative study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of patient weight on the frequency of surgical staging lymphadenectomy and pelvic radiation. Adverse effects, disease relapse, and survival outcomes were investigated.

Study Design: Records of 766 women who underwent surgery for presumed corpus-confined endometrial cancer were reviewed.

Chemotherapy Administration during Pelvic Radiation for Cervical Cancer Patients Aged >/=55 Years in the SEER-Medicare Population.

Our study evaluated whether 1999 National Cancer Institute (NCI) chemoradiation guidelines for cervical cancer impacted treatment of women >/=55 years. We identified 385 women >/=55 years (median, 72 years) diagnosed with stage II-IVA cervical cancer between January, 1998 and December, 2002 in the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare registries. Chemoradiation frequency tables were constructed for age, race, community setting, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity index.

Baseline characteristics influencing quality of life in women undergoing gynecologic oncology surgery.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) measurements are important in evaluating cancer treatment outcomes. Factors other than cancer and its treatment may have significant effects on QoL and affect assessment of treatments. Baseline data from longitudinal studies of women with endometrial or ovarian cancer or adnexal mass determined at surgery to be benign were analyzed to determine the degree to which QoL is affected by baseline differences in demographic variables and health.

Surgical treatments for vulvar and vaginal dysplasia: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare pain, adverse effects and recurrence of dysplasia in patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia or vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia prospectively treated by carbon dioxide laser or ultrasonic surgical aspiration.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment by laser or ultrasonic surgical aspiration from 2000-2005. Preoperative biopsy was done to confirm presence of dysplasia.

Gynecologic oncology patients' satisfaction and symptom severity during palliative chemotherapy.

Background: Research on quality and satisfaction with care during palliative chemotherapy in oncology patients has been limited. The objective was to assess the association between patient's satisfaction with care and symptom severity and to evaluate test-retest of a satisfaction survey in this study population.

Methods: A prospective cohort of patients with recurrent gynecologic malignancies receiving chemotherapy were enrolled after a diagnosis of recurrent cancer.