Gender-related differences in career development among gynecologic oncology surgeons in Europe. European Network of Young Gynecologic Oncologists' Survey based data.

Introduction: Gender-related differences in career development are well known issues in various professions. An international survey on gender-related differences was performed among young gynecologic oncology surgeons in Europe to identify potential gender inequalities in career development.

Material And Methods: A survey on demographics, clinical and academic working environment, family/parenting, career development, salary and leadership was sent to all members of the European Network of Young Gynecologic Oncologists (ENYGO), which is a network within the European Society of Gynecologic Oncology (ESGO).

European Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) gynecologic oncology survey: Status of ERAS protocol implementation across Europe.

Objective: To acquire a comprehensive assessment of the current status of implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols across Europe.

Methods: The survey was launched by The European Network of Young Gynecologic Oncologists (ENYGO). A 45-item survey was disseminated online through the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) Network database.

Clinician attitude towards sexual counseling in women with gynecologic malignancies: European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists (ENYGO) survey.

Objective: Both the location of primary disease and treatment side effects may have an impact on sexual function in oncogynecological patients. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, strategies, difficulties, and ideas for improvement in sexual counseling among specialists managing patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study performed among healthcare professionals treating patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Quality of training in cervical cancer radical surgery: a survey from the European Network of Young Gynaecologic Oncologists (ENYGO).

Background: The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and partners are committed to improving the training for gynecologic oncology fellows. The aim of this survey was to assess the type and level of training in cervical cancer surgery and to investigate whether the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial results impacted training in radical surgery for gynecologic oncology fellows.

Methods: In June 2020, a 47-question electronic survey was shared with European Network of Young Gynaecologic Oncologists (ENYGO) members.

Circulating Hsa-miR-431-5p as Potential Biomarker for Squamous Cell Vulvar Carcinoma and Its Premalignant Lesions.

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) develops from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN). This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of circulating hsa-miR-431-5p in vulvar precancers and VSCC. Expression levels of hsa-miR-431-5p were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR in plasma samples of 29 patients with vulvar precancers (HSIL or dVIN), 107 with VSCC as well as 15 healthy blood donors.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on training and mental well-being of surgical gynecological oncology trainees.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic has caused a crisis disrupting health systems worldwide. While efforts are being made to determine the extent of the disruption, the impact on gynecological oncology trainees/training has not been explored. We conducted an international survey of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on clinical practice, medical education, and mental well-being of surgical gynecological oncology trainees.

Lower-Limb Lymphedema after Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Cervical Cancer Patients.

Background: To prospectively assess LLL incidence among cervical cancer patients treated by uterine surgery complemented by SLN biopsy, without PLND.

Methods: A prospective study in 150 patients with stage IA1-IB2 cervical cancer treated by uterine surgery with bilateral SLN biopsy. Objective LLL assessments, based on limb volume increase (LVI) between pre- and postoperative measurements, and subjective patient-perceived swelling were conducted in six-month periods over 24-months post-surgery.

Tracers and corresponding detection devices: technetium colloids, blue dyes & NIR fluorescence.

Tracers and corresponding detection devices for the mapping of sentinel lymph nodes have been evolving since the first use of lymphangiogram methods in 1977 in penile carcinoma. Nowadays a variety of dyes and radiotracers have been validated for use in breast, vulvar and cervical cancer as well as melanoma. Each tumor site with its anatomical conditions requires different mapping protocol.

CXCR4/ACKR3/CXCL12 axis in the lymphatic metastasis of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) spreads early and mainly locally direct expansion into adjacent structures, followed by lymphatic metastasis to the regional lymph nodes (LNs). In the lymphatic metastasis, cancer cells bearing CXCR4 and ACKR3 (CXCR7) receptors are recruited to the LNs that produce the CXCL12 ligand. Our study aimed to assess the role of the CXCR4/ACKR3/CXCL12 axis in VSCC progression.

Inflammatory Proteins HMGA2 and PRTN3 as Drivers of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression.

Current knowledge on the biology of squamous cell vulvar carcinoma (VSCC) is limited. We aimed to identify protein markers of VSCC tumors that would permit to stratify patients by progression risk. Early-stage tumors from patients who progressed (progVSCC) and from those who were disease-free (d-fVSCC) during follow-up, along with normal vulvar tissues were examined by mass spectrometry-based proteomics.

Subspecialty training in Europe: a report by the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists.

Background: ESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology) and partners are continually improving the developmental opportunities for gynaecological oncology fellows. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the progress in the infrastructure of the training systems in Europe over the past decade. We also evaluated training and assessment techniques, the perceived relevance of ENYGO (European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists) initiatives, and unmet needs of trainees.

Perspectives, fears and expectations of patients with gynaecological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Pan-European study of the European Network of Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Groups (ENGAGe).

Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European gynaecological cancer patients under active treatment or follow-up has not been documented. We sought to capture the patient perceptions of the COVID-19 implications and the worldwide imposed treatment modifications.

Methods: A patient survey was conducted in 16 European countries, using a new COVID-19-related questionnaire, developed by ENGAGe and the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale questionnaire (HADS).

Assessment of palliative care training in gynaecological oncology: a survey among European Network of Young Gynae-Oncologists (ENYGO) members.

Introduction: Palliative care is an important aspect of gynaecological oncology practice. In order to successfully integrate end-of-life (EOL) care in the disease trajectory, it is crucial to incorporate systematic training in subspecialty programmes in gynaecological oncology. We aimed to evaluate the quality of training in palliative care across gynaecological oncology fellows in Europe and to provide a framework to facilitate learning opportunities.

Sentinel lymph node mapping and intraoperative assessment in a prospective, international, multicentre, observational trial of patients with cervical cancer: The SENTIX trial.

Background: SENTIX (ENGOT-CX2/CEEGOG-CX1) is an international, multicentre, prospective observational trial evaluating sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy without pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. We report the final preplanned analysis of the secondary end-points: SLN mapping and outcomes of intraoperative SLN pathology.

Methods: Forty-seven sites (18 countries) with experience of SLN biopsy participated in SENTIX.

Somatic Mutation Profiling in Premalignant Lesions of Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) originates from the progression of either a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or differentiated-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), often in a background of (LS). The mechanisms leading to the progression of these premalignant lesions to VSCC are elusive. This study aims to identify pathogenic mutations implicated in VSCC development.

Prognostic factors in patients with vulvar cancer: the VULCAN study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the prognostic factors for overall and progression-free survival in patients with vulvar cancer.

Methods: This international, multicenter, retrospective study included 2453 patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer at 100 different institutions. Inclusion criteria were institutional review board approval from each collaborating center, pathologic diagnosis of invasive carcinoma of the vulva, and primary treatment performed at the participating center.

Radical vulvectomy with right gluteal and left medial thigh V-Y advancement flap reconstruction.

Vulvar cancer is rare. The vulva constitutes the external female genitalia and it is associated with the perineum with the intersection of urinary, sexual and anal systems. The deep anatomy of the perineum in the urogenital and anogenital triangle should be well-known to gynecological oncologists.

Report from the 21st meeting of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO 2019).

This is a report from the 21st Meeting of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO 2019) held in Athens, Greece, November 2-5, 2019. The conference offered state of the art educational sessions, and oral and poster abstract presentations. The general sessions throughout the meeting focused not only on prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and translational research but also on emerging trends.

The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease Surgical Oncological Procedure Definitions Committee "Surgical Terminology for Vulvar Cancer Treatment".

Objectives: The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) Surgical Oncological Procedure Definitions Committee propose a consistent terminology based on well-defined and reproducible anatomic landmarks that can be used by all who are involved in care of patients with vulvar conditions.

Materials And Methods: The fundamental principles behind the new terminology contained descriptions of the area extension and depth of the surgical procedure.

Results: Vulvar Surgical Topographic Anatomy LandmarksExtension.

Somatic mutations in BRCA1&2 in 201 unselected ovarian carcinoma samples - single institution study.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal among gynecologic malignancies worldwide. Unfortunately, in around 70% of cases cancer is diagnosed in late stages (III-IV) which decreases the 5-year survival rate to 25%. The standard of care in ovarian cancer is debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy regimens based on platinum salts.

International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease Recommendations Regarding Female Cosmetic Genital Surgery.

Female genital cosmetic surgeries (FGCSs) and procedures are increasingly being advertised as common, simple, and complication-free, capable of not only improving aesthetic appearance but also increasing self-esteem and sexual pleasure.Guidelines for physicians and clear, scientifically correct information for patients must be made available, to minimize the number of ineffective or deleterious procedures.The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease positions/recommendations regarding FGCS are as follows:1.

Somatic mutation profiling of vulvar cancer: Exploring therapeutic targets.

Background: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) constitutes over 90% of vulvar cancer. Its pathogenesis can follow two different pathways; high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-dependent and HPV-independent. Due to the rarity of VSCC, molecular mechanisms underlying VSCC development remain largely unknown.