Robotic surgery in the obese gynecologic patient.

Despite robust interest in minimally invasive surgery for obese gynecologic patients, widespread use by gynecologic surgeons has been hindered by the technical difficulty of completing these procedures. The use of robotic assistance to overcome these challenges continues to increase. This study discusses the problem of obesity in the United States, provides basic definitions and calculations related to the disease, reviews some of the literature supporting laparoscopic surgery in obese patients, explores the emergence of robotics in this patient population, and offers "surgical pearls" to aid in the successful completion of minimally invasive robotic gynecologic procedures in heavier patients.

GLUT1 and GLUT8 in endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Glucose is provided to cells by a family of glucose transport facilitators known as GLUTs. These transporters are expressed in a tissue specific manner and are overexpressed in many primary tumors of these tissues. Regulation of glucose transport facilitator expression has been demonstrated in endometrial tissue and endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the uterus in a patient taking raloxifene.

Background: Uterine malignant mixed mesodermal tumor is a rare variant of uterine cancer. Data suggest that tamoxifen is involved in the pathogenesis. We report a case of a women in whom a malignant mixed mesodermal tumor was diagnosed while she was taking raloxifene, which is also a selective estrogen receptor modulator.

Late recurrence of squamous cell cervical cancer in an episiotomy site after vaginal delivery.

Background: Rarely is late recurrence from cervical cancer diagnosed at the episiotomy site. We report a case of a patient diagnosed with squamous cell cervical cancer at the time of delivery.

Case: Recurrence at the episiotomy site was noted more than 5 years after initial diagnosis of cervical cancer and was treated with surgery and radiotherapy.