Publications by authors named "Michelle Ertel"

Objective: We aim to explore whether the surgical tumor free margin is important for overall survival (OS) and local control in patients who undergo neoadjuvant radiation (RT) for vulvar cancer.

Methods: A retrospective review from 2004 to 2021 of patients who underwent RT followed by surgical resection was performed. Patients were categorized into groups based on margin status (no residual disease, >8 mm, close margins defined as 1 to 7 mm, or positive).

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Introduction: With the emergence of imaged-based planning and hybrid applicators the complexity of gynecologic brachytherapy has dramatically increased. Despite the known advantages of brachytherapy, notable national declines in utilization of brachytherapy have been documented. Clearly improved education in the sphere of gynecologic brachytherapy is needed.

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Background: It is currently unknown whether primary CDs performed in compliance with the 2014 ACOG/SMFM Obstetric Care Consensus Statement guidelines ("guideline-compliant") are associated with a modified risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity, when compared to primary CDs performed outside the guidelines ("guideline-noncompliant"). Our primary objective was to determine if a guideline-compliant primary CD is associated with a modified risk for maternal or neonatal morbidity, when compared to guideline-noncompliant primary CD.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all primary CDs at one tertiary referral center in the calendar year following publication of the Consensus Statement.

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Background: Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) staging is the standard treatment approach for clinical stage I endometrial cancer. Historical rates of inoperability in endometrial cancer are approximately 10%. Given surgical and medical advancements against increasing population obesity, we aimed to describe a contemporary incidence of medical inoperability in clinical stage I endometrial cancer.

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Objectives: Severe skeletal muscle loss (sarcopenia) is associated with poor cancer outcomes, including reduced survival and increased treatment toxicity. Our goal was to evaluate if sarcopenia was associated with worse survival outcomes and chemotoxicity in EOC patients undergoing primary platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy.

Methods: EOC patients diagnosed between 06/2000 and 02/2017 who received treatment with platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy were included.

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