The vascular portion of the cardinal ligament: surgical significance during radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the histopathologic content of the vascular portion of the cardinal ligament in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

Study Design: The vascular portion of the cardinal ligament was completely removed during radical hysterectomy. The maximum cervical diameter and length of the vascular ligament were measured on the fresh specimen.

Extended cytoreduction of intraabdominal metastatic ovarian cancer in the left upper quadrant utilizing en bloc resection.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the development of and experience with a technique for en bloc resection of left upper quadrant intraperitoneal metastatic ovarian cancer.

Study Design: From May 7, 2002-August 14, 2004, 6 women underwent en bloc resection of extensive tumor contiguously involving the omentum, colon, gastrocolic ligament and spleen. This represents about 5% of all cytoreductive operations performed during that time.

Clitoroplasty.

Background: Clitoroplasty, especially in an adult, is a rare procedure. The goals of clitoroplasty are to achieve a normal genital appearance and to preserve sensation with a satisfactory sexual response.

Cases: We present two cases of acquired clitoromegaly.

Cytoreductive surgery for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Objective: This study aims to identify favorable preoperative characteristics and examine the impact of secondary cytoreductive surgery on survival for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Methods: Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer were identified in our surgical database for the period 1988-2004. Patient charts were reviewed and data collected regarding patient demographics, surgical management, preoperative evaluation, perioperative complications, and oncologic outcome.

High insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) gene expression is an independent predictor of poor survival for patients with advanced stage serous epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objective: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy, yet its molecular etiology remains poorly understood. Evidence is accumulating to support a role for the insulin-like growth factor family in human carcinogenesis, and recently using microarray expression analysis, we demonstrated over-expression of the insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) gene in advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancers. The purpose of the current study is to further elucidate the role of the IGF-2 gene in ovarian cancer development and progression.

Giant pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyoma arising from the rectal wall.

Background: Pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyomas arising from the rectal wall are rare. We present a case of a giant retroperitoneal leiomyoma mimicking bilateral solid adnexal masses in a postmenopausal woman.

Case: A 54-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a large abdominopelvic mass.

Weekly low-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel in the treatment of recurrent ovarian and peritoneal cancer.

Objectives: Weekly paclitaxel alone has moderate activity in the salvage treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer and is associated with a favorable toxicity profile. Combination paclitaxel and carboplatin is a well-established first-line regimen for ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate weekly low-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin in recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer.