Clinical relevance of cancer stem cell chemotherapeutic assay for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Introduction: Disease recurrence and progression of ovarian cancer is common with the development of platinum-resistant or refractory disease. This is due in large part to the presence of chemo-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) that contribute to tumor propagation, maintenance, and treatment resistance. We developed a CSCs drug cytotoxicity assay (ChemoID) to identify the most effective chemotherapy treatment from a panel of FDA approved chemotherapies.

Venting Gastrostomy at Home for Symptomatic Management of Bowel Obstruction in Advanced/Recurrent Ovarian Malignancy: A Case Series.

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) frequently defines the trajectory of end-stage ovarian cancer and results in severe physical and psychological distress in patients and their caregivers. Venting gastrostomy (VG) is an alternative to both prolonged medical therapy with nasogastric intubation and intestinal bypass/diversion for refractory MBO. Limited published data from large academic research centers support use of VG in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and MBO.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of catheter-induced combined subclavian and internal jugular vein thrombosis.

Catheter-induced subclavian and internal jugular vein thrombosis in a patient with unresectable ovarian carcinoma was diagnosed by sonography following subtle clinical symptomatology. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of central vein thrombosis offers applicable, noninvasive bedside diagnosis. The case we describe suggests that a low threshold should be maintained for application of this technique in the diagnosis of this potentially life-threatening complication, especially with the current widespread application of invasive monitoring.

Chemotherapy and extended-field radiation therapy to para-aortic area in patients with histologically proven metastatic cervical cancer to para-aortic nodes: a phase II pilot study.

From November 1983 to October 1992, 22 patients with invasive cervical cancer stage IB through stage IIIB with metastasis to para-aortic nodes were entered in this study. Five patients were excluded. Of 17 remaining evaluable patients, 5 (29%) were stage IB, 6 (35%) were stage IIB, and 6 (35%) were stage IIIB.