GOG 8020/210: Risk stratification of lymph node metastasis, disease progression and survival using single nucleotide polymorphisms in endometrial cancer: An NRG oncology/gynecologic oncology group study.

Objectives: The ability to stratify a patient's risk of metastasis and survival permits more refined care. A proof of principle study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in literature based candidate cancer genes and the risk of nodal metastasis and clinical outcome in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients.

Methods: Surgically-staged EEC patients from the Gynecologic Oncology Group or Washington University School of Medicine with germline DNA available were eligible.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with gynecologic malignancies metastatic to the brain.

Objective: No standardized treatment strategies exist for patients with gynecologic malignancies complicated by brain metastases. Identification of poor outcome characteristics, long-term survival indicators, and molecular markers could help individualize and optimize treatment.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 100 gynecologic cancer patients with brain metastases treated at our institution between January 1990 and June 2009.

Chemotherapy Response Rates Among Patients With Endometrial Cancer Who Have Elevated Serum Platelets.

Objective: This retrospective study evaluates the influence of serum platelet count on chemotherapy response rates among women with endometrial cancer.

Methods: From 3 separate cancer centers, a total of 318 patients with endometrial cancer who received postoperative chemotherapy between June 1999 and October 2009 were retrospectively identified. Endometrioid, serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma histologies were included.

A phase II trial of a surgical protocol to decrease the incidence of wound complications in obese gynecologic oncology patients.

Objectives: Obese women have a high incidence of wound separation after gynecologic surgery. We explored the effect of a prospective care pathway on the incidence of wound complications.

Methods: Women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2) undergoing a gynecologic procedure by a gynecologic oncologist via a vertical abdominal incision were eligible.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibition as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Alternative strategies beyond current chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens are needed in the treatment of advanced stage and recurrent endometrial cancers. There is considerable promise for biologic agents targeting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway for treatment of these cancers. Many downstream substrates of the ERK signaling pathway, such as glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and their roles in endometrial carcinogenesis have not yet been investigated.

A randomized trial of buffered versus nonbuffered lidocaine with epinephrine for cervical loop excision.

Objective: Our study evaluated whether buffering reduces pain from lidocaine injection for loop electrosurgical excisional procedures (LEEPs) of the cervix when compared to unbuffered lidocaine.

Methods: Women undergoing outpatient LEEPs were randomized to receive either buffered or unbuffered lidocaine. Participants, caregivers, and statisticians were blinded to treatment allocation.

Uterine serous carcinoma: increased familial risk for lynch-associated malignancies.

Serous uterine cancer is not a feature of any known hereditary cancer syndrome. This study evaluated familial risk of cancers for patients with serous uterine carcinoma, focusing on Lynch syndrome malignancies. Fifty serous or mixed serous endometrial carcinoma cases were prospectively enrolled.

Surgery in the pregnant patient.

The key pregnancy-related physiological maternal and fetal changes that occur and the modifications to standard surgical approaches that can impact surgical outcomes are important to recognize. Surgery during pregnancy can be safe and effective. Laparoscopy has become an acceptable alternative to the standard laparotomy and should be considered when surgeons with appropriate skills and experience are available.

Lymphovascular space invasion is an independent risk factor for nodal disease and poor outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Objective: Adjuvant radiotherapy improves local control but not survival in women with endometrial cancer. This benefit was shown in staged patients with "high intermediate risk" (HIR) disease. Other studies have challenged the need for systematic staging including lymphadenectomy.

Lower uterine segment involvement is associated with poor outcomes in early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

Background: The clinicopathologic significance of lower uterine segment involvement (LUSI) in endometrial cancer patients remains unclear. Although LUSI has been reported to be a prognostic indicator, literature is limited.

Methods: We studied 481 surgically staged endometrioid endometrial cancers with disease confined to the uterus (FIGO 1988 stage I or II).

The effects of body mass index on complications and survival outcomes in patients with cervical carcinoma undergoing curative chemoradiation therapy.

Background: The effect of body mass index (BMI) on treatment outcomes for patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma who receive definitive chemoradiation is unclear.

Methods: The cohort in this study included all patients with cervical carcinoma (n = 404) who had stage IB(1) disease and positive lymph nodes or stage ≥IB(2) disease and received treatment at the authors' facility between January 1998 and January 2008. The mean follow-up was 47.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer: survey results from members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

Objective: Recent randomized controlled data suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with interval debulking (ID) may produce similar overall survival and progression free survival compared to standard primary cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy. The object of our study was to assess current patterns of care among members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), specifically collating their opinions on and use of NACT for advanced stage ovarian cancer.

Methods: A 20-item questionnaire was sent to all working e-mail addresses of SGO members (n=1137).

The role of PET/CT in the management of patients with cervical cancer: practice patterns of the members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

Objectives: Recent data has highlighted the role of PET/CT in the pretreatment evaluation and follow-up of patients with cervical cancer. The objective of our study was to assess the acceptance of PET/CT into the management of patients with cervical cancer. We also explored potential barriers to the use of these imaging modalities in patients with cervical cancer.