Perspectives on Access to Novel Therapeutics Through Clinical Trials Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Advanced Cancer: Implications for Patient-Centered Clinical Trials.

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with advanced cancer have unequal access to and enrollment in clinical trials. Many AYA use online platforms to share their treatment experiences. The purpose of this analysis was to explore how AYA discuss clinical trials and their access to novel therapeutics through their blogs.

Twin gestation in a uterus didelphys with only one functional cervix: A case report.

Introduction: Twin gestation in a uterus didelphys with one fetus in each uterine cavity is rare and presents unique challenges in antepartum and intrapartum care.

Case Presentation: A 35-year-old woman with a uterus didelphys became pregnant with twins, with one fetus in each uterus, after intrauterine insemination of a single visible cervix. Multiplanar ultrasonography showed the presence of one complete cervix and a second hypoplastic cervix; it was unclear whether she could deliver both twins vaginally.

Non-malignant Sequelae after Unconfined Power Morcellation.

Study Objective: To identify the incidence of repeat surgery and subsequent findings after the performance of unconfined uterine power morcellation.

Design: A retrospective descriptive study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers.

Differential gene expression by 1,25(OH)D in an endometriosis stromal cell line.

Endometriosis is a common female reproductive disease characterized by invasion of endometrial cells into other organs, frequently causing pelvic pain and infertility. Alterations of the vitamin D system have been linked to endometriosis incidence and severity. To shed light on the potential mechanism for these associations, we examined the effects of 1,25(OH)D on gene expression in endometriosis cells.

Patients' Knowledge of Female Pelvic Health and Related Educational Preferences.

Many patients have a rudimentary knowledge of their body's anatomy and functioning. In a clinical setting, deficits in patient understanding can lead to miscommunication affecting patient care and satisfaction. Hence, this study aims to estimate a baseline of patient knowledge regarding pelvic anatomy and to assess their educational preferences in learning about related topics.

Evidence of a genetic link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

Objective: To evaluate whether endometriosis-associated genetic variation affects risk of ovarian cancer.

Design: Pooled genetic analysis.

Setting: University hospital.

Population distribution of lifetime risk of ovarian cancer in the United States.

Background: In U.S. women, lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 1.

Novel three-dimensional in vitro models of ovarian endometriosis.

Background: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. It affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. This chronic condition commonly leads to consequences such as pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, infertility and an elevated risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Epigenetic analysis leads to identification of HNF1B as a subtype-specific susceptibility gene for ovarian cancer.

HNF1B is overexpressed in clear cell epithelial ovarian cancer, and we observed epigenetic silencing in serous epithelial ovarian cancer, leading us to hypothesize that variation in this gene differentially associates with epithelial ovarian cancer risk according to histological subtype. Here we comprehensively map variation in HNF1B with respect to epithelial ovarian cancer risk and analyse DNA methylation and expression profiles across histological subtypes. Different single-nucleotide polymorphisms associate with invasive serous (rs7405776 odds ratio (OR)=1.

Adolescent endometriosis.

Purpose Of Review: This review will address the recent literature regarding adolescent endometriosis.

Recent Findings: An increasing body of literature suggests that there are symptoms of endometriosis present in adolescents. In addition, those teens with a history of dysmenorrhea severe enough to disrupt quality of life are more likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis.

Association between endometriosis and risk of histological subtypes of ovarian cancer: a pooled analysis of case-control studies.

Background: Endometriosis is a risk factor for epithelial ovarian cancer; however, whether this risk extends to all invasive histological subtypes or borderline tumours is not clear. We undertook an international collaborative study to assess the association between endometriosis and histological subtypes of ovarian cancer.

Methods: Data from 13 ovarian cancer case-control studies, which were part of the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium, were pooled and logistic regression analyses were undertaken to assess the association between self-reported endometriosis and risk of ovarian cancer.

Bilateral oophorectomy is not associated with increased mortality: the California Teachers Study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of surgical menopause due to bilateral oophorectomy on mortality, in light of evidence that bilateral oophorectomy among premenopausal women rapidly reduces endogenous hormone levels, thereby modifying risks of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

Design: The California Teachers Study (CTS) is a prospective cohort study of 133,479 women initiated in 1995-1996 through a mailed, self-administered questionnaire. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Comparison of fixation disparity measured by saladin card and disparometer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the fixation disparity (FD) measurements taken with the Saladin Near Point Balance Card (Saladin card) to those made with the Sheedy Disparometer, and to determine if the same clinical norms used with the Disparometer can be applied to the newer Saladin card.

Methods: Subjects were 44 optometry students (aged 23 to 34 years) without strabismus, amblyopia, or asthenopia during near work. They were randomized to begin at one of three examiners' stations: dissociated near phoria using Modified Thorington card; FD with Saladin card; and FD with Disparometer.

Progesterone receptor gene polymorphisms and risk of endometriosis: results from an international collaborative effort.

Objective: To investigate the association between self-reported endometriosis and the putative functional promoter +331C/T single nucleotide polymorphism and the PROGINS allele.

Design: Control subjects from ovarian cancer case-control studies participating in the international Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. The majority of controls are drawn from population-based studies.

Long-term postmenopausal hormone therapy and endometrial cancer.

Estrogen-alone therapy (ET) or estrogen and progestin (EPT) as menopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been commonly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Treatments containing > or = 10 days per month of progestin are considered relatively safe with respect to endometrial cancer risk. However, the endometrial safety of long-term EPT regimens is uncertain.

Menopausal hormone therapy use and risk of invasive colon cancer: the California Teachers Study.

Results from epidemiologic studies of hormone therapy use and colon cancer risk are inconsistent. This question was investigated in the California Teachers Study (1995-2006) among 56,864 perimenopausal or postmenopausal participants under 80 years of age with no prior colorectal cancer by using Cox proportional hazards regression. Incident invasive colon cancer was diagnosed among 442 participants.

Recent breast cancer incidence trends according to hormone therapy use: the California Teachers Study cohort.

Introduction: Recent, international declines in breast cancer incidence are unprecedented, and the causes remain controversial. Few data sources can address breast cancer incidence trends according to pertinent characteristics like hormone therapy use history.

Methods: We used the prospective California Teachers Study to evaluate changes in self-reported use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) between 1995 to 1996 and 2005 to 2006 and age-adjusted breast cancer incidence among 74,647 participants aged 50 years or older.

Reproductive factors and non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk in the California Teachers Study.

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a malignancy etiologically linked to immunomodulatory exposures and disorders. Endogenous female sex hormones may modify immune function and influence NHL risk. Few studies have examined associations between reproductive factors, which can serve as surrogates for such hormonal exposures, and NHL risk by subtype.

Adolescent endometriosis.

The presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus, typically in the pelvis, is known as endometriosis. An adolescent with this diagnosis usually presents with chronic pelvic pain, and she and her family are anxious for an explanation of her symptoms. Traditionally, endometriosis had been thought to occur only rarely in adolescence, but with an increasing awareness of the disease among the medical community, it is being diagnosed more frequently.

Markers of inflammation and risk of ovarian cancer in Los Angeles County.

Factors that increase inflammation have been suggested to influence the development of ovarian cancer, but these factors have not been well studied. To further investigate this question, we studied the role of talc use, history of endometrioisis and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and risk of ovarian cancer in a population-based case-control study in Los Angeles County involving 609 women with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer and 688 population-based control women. Risk of ovarian cancer increased significantly with increasing frequency and duration of talc use; compared to never users risk was highest among long-duration (20+ years), frequent (at least daily) talc users (adjusted relative risk (RR) = 2.

Risk factors for surgically removed fibroids in a large cohort of teachers.

Objective: To describe reproductive and lifestyle correlates of surgically confirmed fibroids.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: The California Teachers Study, an ongoing prospective study of more than 133,000 female teachers and school administrators identified through the California State Teachers Retirement System.

Adenomyosis and endometriosis in the California Teachers Study.

Objective: To evaluate the reproductive and lifestyle correlates of a surgically confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis or adenomyosis in a large prospective cohort.

Design: Collection of surgical diagnoses of endometriosis and adenomyosis during follow-up of women with no prior history of endometriosis and no prior surgery for adenomyosis.

Setting: The California Teachers Study (CTS), an ongoing prospective study of female teachers and school administrators established from the rolls of the California State Teachers Retirement System.

Insufflation techniques in gynecologic laparoscopy.

Our objectives were to assess the safety and efficacy of different insufflation methods in women undergoing laparoscopy and to develop a model for selection of the appropriate insufflation technique based on the patient's characteristics and surgeon's experience. We performed a retrospective analysis of laparoscopic procedures on 3086 women over a 13-year period at the University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY. All laparoscopic procedures were performed on an outpatient basis by residents under faculty supervision.