Outcomes of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedures in a university setting.

This study evaluated intraoperative complications and postoperative outcomes of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing robotic-assisted (RA) laparoscopic procedures in a university setting. A retrospective chart review evaluated all gynecologic oncology patients at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who underwent attempted RA procedures between August 2006 and October 2011. Patient demographics, medical/surgical history, intraoperative complications, postoperative outcomes, conversion rates, readmission rates, and length of stay were examined.

Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy of ovarian cancer: targeting ovarian cancer cells with the B7-H3-specific mAb 376.96.

Objective: The high rate of relapse in patients with advanced ovarian cancer likely reflects the chemoresistance of cancer initiating cells (CICs). We evaluated the anti-tumor activity of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 376.96, which recognizes a B7-H3 epitope expressed on ovarian carcinoma cells (OCCs), in combination with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sunitinib and chemotherapy on chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells and CICs.

Incidence of port site hernias and/or dehiscence in robotic-assisted procedures in gynecologic oncology patients.

Objectives: The incidence of port site hernia and/or dehiscence using bladeless trocars is 0-1.2%. Robotic surgery uses additional port sites and increases manipulation of instruments, raising the concern for more complications.

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in octogenarians with ovarian cancer.

Background: The decision to choose surgical cytoreduction in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer may be influenced by their age. We compared perioperative morbidity and mortality of octogenarians compared with younger patients undergoing surgical cytoreduction.

Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients who underwent primary surgical cytoreduction for ovarian cancer between January 2005 and December 2009.

The effect of the APPRISE mandate on use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and transfusion rates in patients with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Objective: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) support chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In response to research demonstrating that ESAs increase tumor growth and shorten survival, the Food and Drug Administration mandated the new APPRISE (Assisting Providers and Cancer Patients with Risk Information for the Safe use of ESAs) guidelines for consenting patients before ESAs administration. We sought to quantify the change in ESA and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion use after the APPRISE mandate was instituted.

A review of B7-H3 and B7-H4 immune molecules and their role in ovarian cancer.

A number of members of the B7 superfamily of ligands have been implicated in tumor immunogenicity and cancer development. Two of these recently characterized ligands, B7-H4 and B7-H3, have been linked to ovarian tumors. B7-H4 is consistently overexpressed in ovarian tumor specimens, and its tissue and serum levels have been found to be a potential biomarker for ovarian cancer, either alone or in combination with CA125.

Outcomes of patients with gynecologic malignancies undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion.

Objectives: We evaluated the indications and outcomes of patients with known gynecologic malignancies that underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion.

Methods: After IRB approval was obtained, a retrospective study of patients with gynecologic malignancies who underwent planned VATS/pleurodesis between 1/2000 and 7/2010 was performed. Abstracted data included demographics, diagnosis, disease status, treatment history, indication for VATS, complications, and outcomes.

Double prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis in patients with gynecologic oncology who are undergoing laparotomy: does preoperative anticoagulation matter?

Objective: Double prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with thromboprophylaxis plus sequential compression devices (SCDs) is recommended for high-risk surgical patients with gynecologic oncology. Despite the use of preoperative thromboprophylaxis in clinical trials, the schedule of perioperative low molecular-weight heparin varies widely. We sought to determine the effectiveness and adverse effects of a preoperative dose of anticoagulation in patients with gynecologic oncology.

Prognostic significance of the relative dose intensity of chemotherapy in primary treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objective: Relative dose intensity (RDI) is the ratio of delivered dose intensity of chemotherapy to standard dose intensity. In this study, we sought to determine the prognostic significance of RDI in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of chemotherapy naïve patients treated between 2001 and 2008 with intravenous taxane and platinum was performed.

Referral patterns and incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in adolescent and pregnant patients: the impact of the 2006 guidelines.

Objective: The 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology consensus guidelines for management of abnormal cervical cytologic diagnosis made significant changes to referral recommendations for adolescent and pregnant populations. In this study, we sought to review the impact of these new guidelines on referral patterns, along with the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 and cervical cancer in these 2 populations.

Materials And Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review of 12,333 patients referred to a single colposcopy clinic between January 2004 and November 2009 was performed.

Assessment of risk factors for 30-day hospital readmission after surgical cytoreduction in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate factors that place epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients at increased risk for hospital readmission.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with EOC undergoing surgical cytoreduction at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 2001 to 2008 was performed. Patients who required readmission were identified.

Invasive cervical cancer and screening: what are the rates of unscreened and underscreened women in the modern era?

Objective: It has been reported that approximately 50% of invasive cervical malignancies are diagnosed in patients who have never been screened and that 10% of the remaining cervical cancer patients have not had a Pap smear in the 5 years before diagnosis. We sought to determine whether this holds true among a university-based gynecologic oncology patient population.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review of women in a university-based gynecologic oncology group with cervical cancer from 2002 to 2007 was conducted.