Associations between p53 overexpression and multiple measures of clinical outcome in high-risk, early stage or suboptimally-resected, advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancers A Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objective: The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) performed a detailed analysis of p53 overexpression in previously-untreated women with invasive early or advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods: Women were eligible for the study if they provided a tumor block for translational research and participated in either GOG-157, a randomized phase III trial of three versus (vs.) six cycles of paclitaxel+carboplatin in high-risk, early stage EOC, or GOG-111, a randomized phase III trial of cyclophosphamide+cisplatin vs.

Erythropoietin receptor function and expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Objective: Our objectives were to determine if the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) has increased expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma, and if erythropoietin (Epo) confers malignant properties to ovarian cancer cell lines.

Methods: A Western blot analysis of protein lysates from normal ovarian surface epithelial cells and ovarian cancer cell lines was performed. In addition, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for EpoR in tissue specimens of normal, low malignant potential tumor, and epithelial ovarian carcinoma was performed.

Novel techniques to improve split-thickness skin graft viability during vulvo-vaginal reconstruction.

Background: Split-thickness skin grafts are often utilized for vulvo-vaginal reconstruction. Unfortunately, infection and sloughing may occur in up to 22% of patients with standard techniques especially at irradiated recipient sites.

Cases: We report seven cases of vulvo-vaginal reconstruction using split-thickness skin grafts.

Vaginal metastasis and thrombocytopenia from renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Vaginal cancer represents approximately 1-2% of genital tract malignancies. Most cases represent metastasis from the cervix, endometrium, or colon. Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the vagina is extremely rare.

The utility of gastrojejunostomy in secondary cytoreduction and palliation of proximal intestinal obstruction in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Background: Gastrointestinal obstruction is a common complication of recurrent ovarian cancer. Proximal intestinal obstruction, at the level of the duodenum or proximal jejunum, can result from bulky intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal disease. Classic management has been palliation of symptoms with a gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube.

Surgical staging in patients with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of patients with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential who had complete surgical staging with those who were unstaged to determine whether the rate of recurrence or survival was affected by surgical staging.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 93 consecutive patients who had surgery for histologically confirmed tumors of low malignant potential between 1979 and 1997. Two cohorts of patients were identified: patients who had classic surgical staging (n = 48) versus those who were not staged (n = 45).