Does an Autoimmune Disorder Following Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Affect Prognosis?

We investigated whether developing an autoimmune disorder (AID) following a high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosis improves overall survival. This retrospective study included data from women treated for high-grade serous, endometrioid, or transitional cell ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer FIGO stage III or IV at a Swiss cantonal gynecological cancer center (2008-2023). We used Kaplan-Meier estimates and the Cox proportional hazards model using time-varying covariates for the survival function estimation.

Omission of Axillary Dissection Following Nodal Downstaging With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Importance: Data on oncological outcomes after omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with breast cancer that downstages from node positive to negative with neoadjuvant chemotherapy are sparse. Additionally, the best axillary surgical staging technique in this scenario is unknown.

Objective: To investigate oncological outcomes after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with dual-tracer mapping or targeted axillary dissection (TAD), which combines SLNB with localization and retrieval of the clipped lymph node.

Association of Axillary Dissection With Systemic Therapy in Patients With Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer.

Importance: The role of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) to determine nodal burden to inform systemic therapy recommendations in patients with clinically node (cN)-positive breast cancer (BC) is currently unknown.

Objective: To address the association of ALND with systemic therapy in cN-positive BC in the upfront surgery setting and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a prospective, observational, cohort study conducted from August 2018 to June 2022.

Trends in use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer in Europe: prospective TAXIS study (OPBC-03, SAKK 23/16, IBCSG 57-18, ABCSG-53, GBG 101).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical practice heterogeneity in use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) for patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer in Europe.

Methods: The study was preplanned in the international multicenter phase-III OPBC-03/TAXIS trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03513614) to include the first 500 randomized patients with confirmed nodal disease at the time of surgery.

Tailored axillary surgery in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer: Pre-planned feasibility substudy of TAXIS (OPBC-03, SAKK 23/16, IBCSG 57-18, ABCSG-53, GBG 101).

Aim: We developed tailored axillary surgery (TAS) to reduce the axillary tumor volume in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer to the point where radiotherapy can control it. The aim of this study was to quantify the extent of tumor load reduction achieved by TAS.

Methods: International multicenter prospective study embedded in a randomized trial.

Prepectoral versus subpectoral implant-based breast reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy or nipple-sparing mastectomy (OPBC-02/ PREPEC): a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised, superiority trial.

Introduction: The emphasis on aesthetic outcomes and quality of life (QoL) has motivated surgeons to develop skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy (SSM/ NSM) for breast cancer treatment or prevention. During the same operation, a so-called immediate breast reconstruction is performed. The breast can be reconstructed by positioning of a breast implant above (prepectoral) or below (subpectoral) the pectoralis major muscle or by using the patients' own tissue (autologous reconstruction).

Predictors of a Successful Bipolar Radiofrequency Endometrial Ablation.

The study's objectives were to determine the success rate following radiofrequency endometrial ablation to treat abnormal menstrual bleeding and to assess risk factors for failure of the method. 195 women who were treated with bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation between 01/2009 and 06/2016 were included in this prospective cohort study. Postoperative data from 187 women were collected at a median of 17.

Subcutaneous botulinum toxin type A injections for provoked vestibulodynia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial and exploratory subanalysis.

Background: Previous studies using botulinum toxin type A (BT) to treat provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) reported conflicting findings, possibly attributable to singular injections or low doses. We assessed PVD treatment effectiveness with high-dose single injections of BT (50 or 100 units) versus placebo, and then repeat BT 100 U injections over 6 months.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled study with 33 PVD patients.

Oncoplastic Breast Consortium consensus conference on nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Purpose: Indications for nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) have broadened to include the risk reducing setting and locally advanced tumors, which resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of NSM. The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium consensus conference on NSM and immediate reconstruction was held to address a variety of questions in clinical practice and research based on published evidence and expert panel opinion.

Methods: The panel consisted of 44 breast surgeons from 14 countries across four continents with a background in gynecology, general or reconstructive surgery and a practice dedicated to breast cancer, as well as a patient advocate.

Impact of a Surgical Sealing Patch on Lymphatic Drainage After Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer: The SAKK 23/13 Multicenter Randomized Phase III Trial.

Background: Several studies and a meta-analysis showed that fibrin sealant patches reduced lymphatic drainage after various lymphadenectomy procedures. Our goal was to investigate the impact of these patches on drainage after axillary dissection for breast cancer.

Methods: In a phase III superiority trial, we randomized patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery at 14 Swiss sites to receive versus not receive three large TachoSil patches in the dissected axilla.

Role of intrinsic sphincter deficiency with and without urethral hypomobility on the outcome of tape insertion.

Aims: Intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is a known risk factor for therapy failure after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) insertion. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the severity of ISD alone or other factors such as urethral mobility and tape localization influence outcomes.

Methods: One hundred and nine women with urodynamically determined ISD, a TVT insertion, and a 6-month follow-up visit were included.

Risk factors for emergency caesarean section in planned vaginal breech delivery.

Purpose: To identify risk factors for emergency caesarean section in women attempting a vaginal breech delivery at term.

Methods: Data from 1092 breech deliveries performed between 1998 and 2013 at a Swiss cantonal hospital were extracted from an electronic database. Of the 866 women with a singleton, full term pregnancy, 464 planned a vaginal breech delivery.

Sensory Hyperinnervation Distinguishes Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis from Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

Purpose: Pain is the key symptom that distinguishes bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis from overactive bladder syndrome but overlap occurs. To find a discriminating marker for these bladder diseases we examined sensory hyperinnervation and neurotrophin receptor expression in bladder biopsies as well as nerve growth factor levels in urine.

Materials And Methods: Bladder biopsies from patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, including 12 with and 19 without Hunner lesions, 13 with overactive bladder syndrome and 12 healthy controls, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with antibodies to the nerve cell marker PGP9.

Neutrophil expression of ICAM1, CXCR1, and VEGFR1 in patients with breast cancer before and after adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: Distinct populations of neutrophils have been identified based on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1, CD54) and chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1, interleukin 8 receptor α).

Aim: We analyzed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), a physiological negative regulator of angiogenesis, on distinct populations of neutrophils from the blood of patients before and after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: Neutrophil populations were distinguished as reverse transmigrated (ICAM1(high)/CXCR1(low)), naïve (ICAM1(low)/CXCR1(high)), or tissue-resident neutrophils (ICAM1(low)/CXCR1(low)), and their VEGFR1 expression quantified.

Bone marrow micrometastases do not impact disease-free and overall survival in early stage sentinel lymph node-negative breast cancer patients.

Background: The presence of lymph node metastases is the most important prognostic factor in early stage breast cancer. Whether bone marrow micrometastases (BMM) impact the prognosis in sentinel lymph node (SLN)-negative breast cancer patients remains a matter of debate. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of BMM on 5-year disease-free and overall survival among those patients.

Disease progression and recurrence in women treated for vulvovaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: The malignant potential of intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva and vagina after treatment is not well defined. Our objective was to examine risk factors for recurrence and invasive disease.

Methods: Four hundred sixty-four women with biopsy proven high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva and vagina were identified in the electronic databases of four colposcopy clinics.

Expression pattern of class I histone deacetylases in vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and vulvar cancer: a tissue microarray study.

Background: Epigenetic regulation is an important mechanism leading to cancer initiation and promotion. Histone acetylation by histone deacetylases (HDACs) represents an important part of it. The development of HDAC inhibitors has identified the utility of HDACs as a therapeutic target.

[The incidence of human papilloma virus associated vulvar cancer in younger women is increasing and wide local excision with sentinel lymph node biopsie has become standard].

Purpose Of Review: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissections have been shown to be sensitive for the evaluation of nodal basins for metastatic disease and are associated with decreased short-term and long-term morbidity when compared with complete lymph node dissection. There has been increasing interest in the use of SLN technology in gynecologic cancers. This review assesses the current evidence-based literature for the use of SLN dissections in gynecologic malignancies.

IGFBP2 and IGFBP3 protein expressions in human breast cancer: association with hormonal factors and obesity.

Purpose: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling system is involved in breast cancer initiation and progression. The prognostic relevance of tumor expression patterns of IGFI-related proteins remains poorly understood. This study associates the expression of selected IGF proteins with breast tumor and patient characteristics.

Outcome of treated anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia among human immunodeficiency virus-infected women.

Objective: To determine characteristics and clinical course of high-grade anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women.

Study Design: HIV-positive women with biopsy-proven high-grade (II and III) vulvar (VIN), vaginal (VAIN) or perianal intraepithelial neoplasia (PAIN) were identified in the electronic databases of 2 colposcopy clinics.

Results: A total of 31 patients were identified from 1992 to 2007, of which 30 had a mean follow-up of 47.

Accuracy of frozen section of sentinel lymph nodes: a prospective analysis of 659 breast cancer patients of the Swiss multicenter study.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) frozen section in a prospective multicenter study of early-stage breast cancer patients.

Summary Background Data: The decision to perform an immediate completion axillary node dissection (ALND) is based on results of SLN frozen section. However, SLN frozen sections are not routinely performed in all centers.

Curative treatment of a pelvic side wall recurrence after conization for microinvasive cervical cancer stage IA1: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: For patients wishing to preserve fertility conization is regarded as an adequate treatment in cervical cancer stage IA1 without lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI). Reviewing case series with IA1 cervical cancers without LVSI, lymph node metastasis (LNM) is present in 0.5%.

Morbidity of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) alone versus SLN and completion axillary lymph node dissection after breast cancer surgery: a prospective Swiss multicenter study on 659 patients.

Objective: To assess the morbidity after sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy compared with SLN and completion level I and II axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in a prospective multicenter study.

Summary Background Data: ALND after breast cancer surgery is associated with considerable morbidity. We hypothesized: 1) that the morbidity in patients undergoing SLN biopsy only is significantly lower compared with those after SLN and completion ALND level I and II; and 2) that SLN biopsy can be performed with similar intermediate term morbidity in academic and nonacademic centers.

NY-BR-1 protein expression in breast carcinoma: a mammary gland differentiation antigen as target for cancer immunotherapy.

NY-BR-1 is a recently identified differentiation antigen of the mammary gland. To use NY-BR-1 for T-cell-based immunotherapy, analysis of its co-expression with HLA class I antigens is required. In the present tissue microarray study, primary breast cancers (n = 1,444), recurrences (n = 88), lymph node (n = 525) and distant metastases (n = 91) were studied for NY-BR-1 expression using a novel monoclonal antibody.