Do critical care units play a role in the management of gynaecological oncology patients? The contribution of gynaecologic oncologist in running critical care units.

Routine post-operative care in high dependency unit (HDU), surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and intensive care unit (ICU) after high-risk gynaecological oncology surgical procedures may allow for greater recognition and correct management of post-operative complications, thereby reducing long-term morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, unnecessary admissions to these units lead to increased morbidity - nosocomial infections, increased length of hospital stay and higher hospital costs. Gynaecological oncology surgeons continue to look after their patient in the HDU/SICU and have the final role in decision-making on day-to-day basis, making it important to be well versed in critical care management and ensure the best care for their patients.

Prognostic value of preoperative Ca125 and Tag72 serum levels and their correlation to disease relapse and survival in endometrial cancer.

Objective: To evaluate preoperative serum levels of Ca125 and Tag72-4 tumour markers and investigate if abnormal levels correlate to mortality and disease-free survival.

Method: Retrospective observational study of a cohort of 282 women (mean age 62.3, SD 10.

Gynecologic oncology patients in the surgical high dependency unit: an analysis of indications.

Purpose: The establishment of high dependency units (HDUs) has been an undoubted advance in the management of patients undergoing major oncological procedures. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of various preoperative and perioperative patients' characteristics on the prolonged HDU stay.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including all gynecologic oncology patients who underwent surgical management and were admitted postoperatively to our hospitals' HDU from 2006 to 2010.

Improved survival trends in platinum-resistant patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal cancer treated with first-line paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy: the impact of novel agents.

Objective: The prognosis for patients with platinum-resistant advanced ovarian cancer remains poor. The impact of approved agents on survival has not been clarified during the last decade. We studied survival trends during the last 15 years in platinum-resistant patients treated with cytoreductive surgery followed by paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy.

VEGF directly suppresses activation of T cells from ascites secondary to ovarian cancer via VEGF receptor type 2.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor action in tumour angiogenesis is well characterised; nevertheless, it functions as a key element in the promotion of the immune system's evasion by tumours. We sought to investigate the possible direct effect of VEGF on T-cell activation and through which type of VEGF receptor it exerts this effect on cells isolated from ovarian cancer patients' ascites.

Methods: T cells isolated from the ascites of ovarian cancer patients were cultured with anti-CD3 and IL-2, with or without VEGF for 14 days and the number of viable T cells was counted.

A risk-adapted strategy of adjuvant paclitaxel/carboplatin in early-stage ovarian cancer: time-dependent effect of 4 versus 6 cycles on outcome.

Objective: We investigated the efficacy of risk-adapted adjuvant paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy in early-stage ovarian carcinoma.

Methods: Fifty-three patients were treated according to the risk of relapse: patients with stages IA or IB or with grade 1 (low risk) received 4 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin; patients with IC/IIA and grade 2 or 3 (high risk) received 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The outcome was compared with that of 95 patients who were all treated with 4 cycles.

Prognostic evaluation of tumour type and other histopathological characteristics in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, treated with surgery and paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy: cell type is the most useful prognostic factor.

Aim: Ovarian carcinomas have been classified into types I and II according to the hypothesised mode of carcinogenesis and molecular characteristics. The prognostic significance of this classification has not been studied.

Patients And Methods: Five hundred and sixty-eight patients with histologically confirmed, ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal carcinomas, international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) stages IIC-IV, treated with paclitaxel/platinum following cytoreductive surgery, were included in this analysis.

VEGF directly suppresses activation of T cells from ovarian cancer patients and healthy individuals via VEGF receptor Type 2.

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor angiogenesis is well characterized; nevertheless, it is also a key element in promoting tumor evasion of the immune system by downregulating dendritic cell maturation and thus T cell activation. We sought to investigate the possible direct effect of VEGF on T cell activation and through which type of VEGF receptor (VEGFR) it exerts this effect. Circulating T cells from healthy donors and ovarian cancer patients were expanded in cultures with anti-CD3 and IL-2 with or without VEGF for 14 days, and the number of T cells was assessed.

Current use of impact models for agri-environment schemes and potential for improvements of policy design and assessment.

Agri-Environment Schemes (AES) to maintain or promote environmentally-friendly farming practices were implemented on about 25% of all agricultural land in the EU by 2002. This article analyses and discusses the actual and potential use of impact models in supporting the design, implementation and evaluation of AES. Impact models identify and establish the causal relationships between policy objectives and policy outcomes.

Mucinous but not clear cell histology is associated with inferior survival in patients with advanced stage ovarian carcinoma treated with platinum-paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Background: Mucinous and clear cell histology have been associated with adverse prognosis in ovarian carcinomas. The authors compared the outcome of these subtypes with that of serous tumors in patients who were treated with combination paclitaxel/platinum at their center.

Methods: Four hundred twenty patients with histologically confirmed, serous (n = 367), mucinous (n = 24), or clear cell (n = 29) ovarian carcinomas, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III or IV disease, and who were treated with paclitaxel/platinum after cytoreductive surgery were included in this analysis.

Clinical significance of hepatitis B surface antigen in cord blood of hepatitis B e-antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus-infected mothers.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during the perinatal period is the major cause of HBV transmission. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serological and virological profiles of HBV infection in cord blood samples obtained from HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected women, at delivery, and to investigate their relationship with the clinical outcome (possible transmission of HBV) in neonates receiving the currently approved passive-active immunoprophylaxis schedule. Sixteen women (32%) exhibited HBsAg positivity in the cord blood but HBV-DNA has not been detected in any of the 50 cord blood samples evaluated.

Paclitaxel- and platinum-based postoperative chemotherapy for primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a single institution experience.

Background: Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare gynecologic malignancy with very few data existing on the activity of the combination of paclitaxel with a platinum analogue as adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive patients with PFTC who were treated postoperatively with paclitaxel- and platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens.

Results: We observed 12 (63.

Correlation of NK T-like CD3+CD56+ cells and CD4+CD25+(hi) regulatory T cells with VEGF and TNFalpha in ascites from advanced ovarian cancer: Association with platinum resistance and prognosis in patients receiving first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: Several cytokines have been associated with immune regulation and prognosis in ovarian cancer. CD4+CD25+ Tregs and CD3+CD56+ NK-like T cells are involved in the immune response against the tumor. We have investigated the association of cytokines in the ascites from patients with ovarian cancer with these populations, the platinum resistance and the prognosis of these patients.

Prognostic factors in patients treated with taxane-based chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer: proposal for a new prognostic model.

Objective: Taxane-based chemotherapy has been recently introduced as an effective therapeutic option in recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma (RMEC). The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic factors in RMEC after taxane-based chemotherapy.

Methods: One hundred ten patients who received paclitaxel-containing regimen for RMEC were retrospectively evaluated.

Significant differences of lymphocytes isolated from ascites of patients with ovarian cancer compared to blood and tumor lymphocytes. Association of CD3+CD56+ cells with platinum resistance.

Objectives: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and T regulatory cells (Tregs) have been associated with prognosis in ovarian cancer, but their prognostic significance in ascites has not been studied. We performed a prospective study of T lymphocytes isolated from ascites from patients with ovarian carcinoma and we compared them with the respective populations in blood and tumors.

Methods: Mononuclear cells from ascites (n=71) and blood were isolated by Ficoll, while tumor lymphocytes (n=20) were obtained upon mechanical dissociation.

Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in the elderly: chemotherapy tolerance and outcome.

Background: The prognostic significance of age in ovarian cancer has not been clarified. We investigated the characteristics of ovarian cancer presenting in ages > 70 years and assessed the prognostic significance of advanced age.

Patients And Methods: Four hundred and fifty-three patients with stage IIC-IV ovarian cancer (age>70 years n=106 [23%]), treated postoperatively with platinum-based chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed.

The impact of age in the outcome of patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy.

Objectives: Cervical cancer is a disease of middle-aged and elderly but still there are young women diagnosed with advanced disease that is incurable with local treatment and is treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy. It is unknown whether these young patients have a poorer outcome compared to older patients or whether elderly patients have inferior outcome than younger patients when treated with combination chemotherapy.

Methods: We compared the outcome between young (<35), elderly (>70) and middle-aged (35-70) women who were treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy for advanced, recurrent or persistent disease.

Four cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian cancer: a six-year experience of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.

Background: Surgery can cure a significant percentage of ovarian carcinoma confined to the pelvis. Nevertheless, there is still a 10-50% recurrence rate. We administered paclitaxel/carboplatin as adjuvant treatment in early-stage ovarian carcinoma.

Young age is associated with favorable characteristics but is not an independent prognostic factor in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: a single institution experience.

Background: Young age has been reported to be a favorable prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of ovarian cancer presenting in patients aged < or =40 and assess the prognostic significance of young age.

Methods: Data from 591 consecutive ovarian cancer patients, including 37 subjects (6.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin in non-endometrioid carcinoma of the uterus.

Purpose Of Investigation: Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCCC) represent more aggressive tumors than the more common endometroid cancers, exhibiting a propensity for distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity and safety of paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy as the only adjuvant treatment in patients with surgically resected UPSC and UCCC.

Methods: Fifteen patients with Stage IB-IV UPSC or UCCC were treated with a mean of six courses of paclitaxel 175 mg/m3 plus carboplatin AUC 5 at three-week intervals, three to six weeks after undergoing surgery with curative intent.

Late relapse of epithelial ovarian cancer: a single institution experience.

Purpose Of Investigation: Late relapses are infrequent in ovarian cancer. We present the characteristics and outcome of patients who relapsed at least five years after first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Six cases were retrieved from 203 patients treated from 1994 to 1998.

Treatment of ovarian germ cell tumors with a 3-day bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin regimen: a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Ovarian germ cell tumors (OGCT) are highly curable when treated with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. We evaluated the safety and activity of a 3-day modified bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatinum (mBEP) regimen in patients with OGCT.

Patients And Methods: Patients with FIGO stages I-IV OGCT were treated with three (stages I-III complete resection) or four cycles (incomplete resection or stage IV) of bleomycin 15 mg iv, etoposide 120 mg/m(2) iv, and cisplatin 40 mg/m(2) iv for 3 days every 3 weeks.

Conservative management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN(2-3)) in pregnant women.

The management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN(2-3)) diagnosed during pregnancy was the subject of this study. Two hundred and eight pregnant women with an abnormal cytology were assessed in our unit over a 10-year period. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 45 (mean 28) years.