0000000000126226

AUTHOR

Valerio Gallotta

0000-0003-4254-9379

Robotic Total Mesometrial Resection versus Laparoscopic Total Mesometrial Resection in Early Cervical Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Abstract Study Objective To report our experience with robotic total mesometrial resection (R-TMMR) comparing perioperative results with a series of laparoscopic total mesometrial resections (L-TMMRs). Design Multicenter retrospective case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome (Italy) and Campobasso (Italy). Patients From July 2013 to August 2015 all cervical cancer patients with preoperative FIGO stage IA2 to IB1 were assessed at preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan and clinically confirmed by investigation under anesthesia, complying strictly with the FIGO criteria. Surgical and postsurgical data of the TMM…

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Laparoscopic Management of Ovarian Cancer Patients With Localized Carcinomatosis and Lymph Node Metastases: Results of a Retrospective Multi-institutional Series

Abstract Study Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic cytoreduction in ovarian cancer patients with localized carcinomatosis or lymph node involvement. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Multi-institutional study performed in 6 referral gynecologic oncology units. Patients Between June 2005 and December 2014, preoperatively presumed early-stage ovarian cancer patients, who accidentally revealed localized carcinomatosis or lymph node involvement at laparoscopic evaluation or at postoperative pathological examination managed by the laparoscopic approach. Interventions All patients with limited carcinomatosis and/or…

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Indocyanine Green to Assess Vascularity of Ileal Conduit Anastomosis During Pelvic Exenteration for Recurrent/Persistent Gynecological Cancer: A Pilot Study

IntroductionPelvic exenteration performed for recurrent/persistent gynecological malignancies has been associated with urological short- and long-term morbidity due to altered vascularization of tissues for previous radiotherapy. The aims of the present study were to describe the use of intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) to assess vascularity of urinary diversion (UD) after pelvic exenteration for gynecologic cancers, to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this technique, and to assess the postoperative complications.MethodsProspective, observational, single-center, pilot study including consecutive patients undergoing anterior or total pelvic exenteration due to persistent/recurrent gy…

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Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Staging for Early Ovarian Cancer: A Case-Matched Control Study.

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate the feasibility, surgical outcome, and oncologic results observed after robotic staging compared with conventional laparoscopic staging for patients with early-stage ovarian cancer patients. Design A retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Patients Ninety-six patients underwent minimally invasive staging for presumed stage I ovarian cancer; 32 underwent the robotic approach (cases), and 64 underwent the laparoscopic approach (controls). Measurements and Main Results There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 approaches with regard to final Fed…

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A laparoscopic risk-adjusted model to predict major complications after primary debulking surgery in ovarian cancer: A single-institution assessment

Abstract Objective To develop and validate a simple adjusted laparoscopic score to predict major postoperative complications after primary debulking surgery (PDS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC). Methods From January 2006 to June 2015, preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative outcome data from patients undergoing staging laparoscopy (S-LPS) before receiving PDS (n=555) were prospectively collected in an electronic database and retrospectively analyzed. Major complications were defined as levels 3 to 5 of MSKCC classification. On the basis of a multivariate regression model, the score was developed using a random two-thirds of the population (n=370) and was validated on …

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Minimally invasive interval debulking surgery in ovarian neoplasm (MISSION trial–NCT02324595): a feasibility study

Background Laparoscopy has acquired an increasing role in the management of ovarian cancer. Laparoscopic cytoreduction could represent a new frontier for selected patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Objective We sought to assess feasibility and early complication rate of minimally invasive (MI) interval debulking surgery (IDS) in stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients after NACT. Study Design This is a phase II multicentric study in advanced EOC cases with clinical complete response after NACT, according to Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup and Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors criteria. Institutional review board approval was obtained and all patients sign…

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Minilaparoscopic aortic lymphadenectomy.

Abstract Study Objective To show the feasibility of performing aortic lymphadenectomy with 3-mm instruments in gynecologic malignancies. Patient A 43-year-old, multiparous patient with serous ovarian cancer grading 2, Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique stage IC (intraoperative spillage). Intervention The patient was accidentally diagnosed with ovarian cancer after a right adnexectomy performed for an ovarian cyst. Once referred to our center, a delayed surgical staging was planned including total hysterectomy, left adnexectomy, aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy, peritoneal biopsies, and total omentectomy. Minilaparoscopy was believed to be feasible to achieve it. Meas…

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1088 Minimally-invasive pelvic exenteration: a survival analysis

Minimally-invasive pelvic exenteration: a survival analysis. Introduction/Background* Pelvic exenteration for recurrent and persistent gynecological malignancies is traditionally performed with open approach (OA). Nevertheless, reports on the use of minimally-invasive surgical (MIS) approach to pelvic exenteration have been published with promising results in terms of peri-operative morbidity. However, oncological safety of this approach has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients undergoing minimally-invasive pelvic exenteration. Methodology All patients undergoing pelvic exenteration for gyn…

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Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer as total mesometrial resection (L-TMMR): A multicentric experience

Abstract Objective To analyze the feasibility of total mesometrial resection by laparoscopy (L-TMMR) in a multicentric series of early stage cervical cancer. Method We prospectively evaluated a consecutive series of cervical cancer patients with pre-operative FIGO stages IA2–IB1 at the Catholic University in Rome and in Campobasso and the Charite University in Berlin. All cases were assessed at pre-operative MRI scan and clinically confirmed by investigation under anesthesia, adhering strictly to the FIGO criteria. The surgical and post-surgical data were collected. Results 104 women with cervical cancer were admitted between July 2013 and August 2014 and among them 71 patients with pre-ope…

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Laparoscopic surgical management of localized recurrent ovarian cancer: a single-institution experience

Background: Optimally, secondary cytoreduction is acknowledged as a valid option in terms of oncologic outcome for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. In cases of localized relapse, a laparoscopic approach has been attempted at various institutions, but studies on its role for this subset of patients still are limited. This report describes the authors' experience using laparoscopic secondary cytoreduction for patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer. The results from a retrospective analysis of a prospective case series are reported. Methods: Between October 2011 and May 2013, 29 patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer were selected for a laparoscopi…

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How to select early-stage cervical cancer patients still suitable for laparoscopic radical hysterectomy: a propensity-matched study

Background: Recently, it was reported that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has a negative impact on early-stage cervical cancer (ECC) patient survival. At the same time, advantages of MIS regarding quality of life and low rate of intra- and postoperative complications are well known. Therefore, it is essential to select patients who may benefit from MIS without worsening their oncologic outcomes. The aim of this study is to investigate which pathological factors could guide surgeons’ choice about the best approach in ECC. Patients and Methods: Patients with 2009 FIGO stage from IA1 with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) to IB1/IIA1 treated by open or laparoscopic surgery were judged eli…

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Clinical outcome of recurrent locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) submitted to primary multimodality therapies

Abstract Objectives Recurrence of disease represents a clinical challenge in cervical cancer patients, especially when all available treatment modalities have been used in the primary setting. The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of recurrence and their association with clinical outcome in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients submitted to primary chemoradiation (CTRT) followed by radical surgery (RS). Methods This study was conducted on 364 LACC patients treated with CTRT plus RS since January 1996 to July 2012. For each relapse, information on date of clinical/pathological recurrence, and pattern of disease presentation were retrieved. Post-relapse survival (PRS) w…

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Phase III randomised clinical trial comparing primary surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer with high tumour load (SCORPION trial): Final analysis of peri-operative outcome.

Abstract Objective To establishing whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) is superior primary debulking surgery (PDS) in terms of clinical outcome as well as peri-operative morbidity in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC) endowed with high tumour load (HTL). Material and methods This is a single-Institution, superiority, randomised phase III trial enrolling supposed AEOC women. Patients considered pre-operatively eligible were triaged to staging laparoscopy to assess the predictive index (PI) of tumour load. All AEOC women with PI ≥ 8 or ≤ 12 (considered as HTL) were included. They were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to undergo either PDS f…

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8 A multicentric randomized trial to evaluate the role of uterine manipulator on laparoscopic/robotic hysterectomy for the treatment of low-risk endometrial cancer: the ROMANHY trial (NCT:02762214)

Background The role of the intrauterine manipulator in minimally invasive hysterectomy for endometrial cancer has been widely debated in terms of impact on the oncological outcomes. To date, definitive conclusions on the possible advantages and oncological safety of its use in endometrial cancer staging are still awaited. Objectives This randomized trial aimed to assess the role of the uterine manipulator in terms of oncological and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robotic) staging for presumed low-risk endometrial cancer. Study Design Enrolled patients were randomly allocated in two groups according to the use (Group A) or no use (Group B) of t…

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Completion Surgery After Concomitant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis of Pattern of Postoperative Complications

Background: We provided a comprehensive analysis of rate, pattern, and severity of early and late postoperative complications in a very large, single-institution series of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients administered CT/RT plus radical surgery (RS). Methods: A total of 362 consecutive LACC (FIGO stage IB2-IVA) patients were submitted to RS after CT/RT at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the Catholic University (Rome/Campobasso). At 4 weeks after CT/RT, patients were evaluated for objective response and triaged to radical hysterectomy and pelvic ± aortic lymphadenectomy. Surgical morbidity was classified according to the Chassagne's grading system. Results: Most cases underw…

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Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for the treatment of benign adnexal disease: a prospective trial.

Background. To validate feasibility, efficacy, and safeness of laparoscopic treatment of benign adnexal diseases through a single transumbilical access (LESS) in a prospective series of patients. Methods. A prospective clinical trial including 30 women has been conducted at the Division of Gynecology of Catholic University of Sacred Hearth of Rome. Patients underwent different laparoscopic procedures by LESS utilizing a multiport trocar and conventional straight laparoscopic instrumentation. Intra and perioperative outcome has been reported. Results. Ten mono/bilateral adnexectomies and 20 cystectomies have been performed by LESS approach. Laparoscopic procedures were completed through a si…

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Peritoneal HPV‐DNA test in cervical cancer (PIONEER study): A proof of concept

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of peritoneal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in different clinical cervical cancer (CC) settings, and its association with potential clinical and/or histological factors. This is a single-center, prospective, observational study. Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent/persistent CC, between March 2019 and April 2020, were included. A group of patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions was included as control group. All patients underwent HPV-DNA test in the cervix and in the peritoneal cavity simultaneously at time of surgery. Two-hundred seventy-two patients had cervical and peritoneal HPV te…

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Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy After Concomitant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Phase II Study

Abstract Study Objective To assess the feasibility of total robotic radical surgery (TRRS) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) who receive chemoradiation therapy (CT/RT). Design A prospective (preplanned) study of a nonrandomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification level 2). Setting Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy. Patients Between September 2013 and January 2016, a total of 40 patients with LACC (Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique stage IB2–III) were enrolled in the study. Interventions Robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) plus pelvic and/or aortic lymphadenectomy was attempted within 6 weeks after CT/RT. The …

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Is a Vaginectomy Enough or is a Pelvic Exenteration Always Required for Surgical Treatment of Recurrent Cervical Cancer? A Propensity-Matched Study.

Purpose: Reporting the perioperative and survival outcomes of vaginectomy with respect to a matched series of pelvic exenteration (PE) in women with isolated recurrent cervical cancer. Methods: The records of vaginal recurrent cervical cancer patients admitted at Fondazione Policlinico “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS in Rome from January 2010 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A propensity-matched score analysis was performed by age, clinical stage, disease-free interval, and R0 resection. Postsurgical complications and survival rates were evaluated. Results: Fifteen women underwent vaginectomy, and 30 patients were submitted to PE. No statistical differences were observed between the two…

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Sentinel lymph node mapping with indocyanine green in cervical cancer patients undergoing open radical hysterectomy: a single-institution series

Abstract Purpose To assess the rate of bilateral sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection with indocyanine green (ICG), to evaluate the sensitivity and the negative predictive value of cervical cancer patients undergoing open radical hysterectomy; to compare open versus minimally invasive SLN biopsy performance and to assess factors related to no/unilateral SLN mapping. Methods We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with FIGO 2018 stage IA1 with lymph-vascular space involvement to IIB and IIIC1p cervical carcinoma who underwent SLN mapping with ICG followed by systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy between 05/2017 and 06/2020. Patients were divided according to surgical approach for statist…

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205 Minimally invasive approaches in locally advanced cervical cancer patients undergoing radical surgery after chemoradiotherapy: a propensity score analysis

Objectives To evaluate the oncological and surgical outcome of minimally invasive radical surgery (MI-RS) compared to open radical surgery (O-RS) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) after preoperative chemoradiation (CT/RT). Methods Data relative to stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer patients managed by CT/RT and RS were retrospectively analyzed. Results Starting from 686 patients, the propensity score matching resulted in 462 cases (231 per group), balanced for FIGO stage, lymph node status, histotype, tumor grade and clinical response to CT/RT. Overall, 107 recurrences were registered with no difference in the pattern of recurrences between the two surgical approaches. The 5-year diseas…

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343 External validation of tumour-free distance as novel prognostic marker in early-stage cervical cancer undergoing primary surgery

Introduction Tumor-free distance (TFD), defined as the minimum distance of uninvolved stroma between the tumor and peri-cervical stromal ring, was recently proposed as predictive marker of recurrence in patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated by primary surgery (particularly if ≤3.5 mm). The aims of the present study were to assess the prognostic value of TFD and to compare TFD with other known prognostic markers in early-stage cervical cancer. Methods Patients with pathologic FIGO 2009 stage IA1-IIB cervical cancer, treated by primary radical surgical treatment between 01/2000 and 12/2018, were retrospectively included. Adjuvant treatment was administered according to the presenc…

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Role of robotic surgery in ovarian malignancy

As part of minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted approach is becoming increasingly popular in gynecologic oncology. It has been shown to be effective and feasible for staging and treating endometrial and cervical cancer, but its role in the context of primary and recurrent ovarian cancers is presently debated. Scanty data are available in the literature, and the level of evidence supporting its use in ovarian cancer is quite low. However, from a retrospective case-control series, robotic surgery seems to be safe and feasible for early-stage ovarian cancer. Its use in treating patients with advanced-stage or relapsed ovarian cancer is still highly controversial, suggesting the choice …

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336 Is a vaginectomy enough or is a pelvic exenteration always required for surgical treatment of recurrent cervical cancer?

Introduction No consensus has yet been reached on the best strategy for treatment of cervical cancer local recurrence. Vaginectomy could be a salvage treatment in selected patients. Methods The records of vaginal recurrent cervical cancer patients admitted at Fondazione Policlinico ‘Agostino Gemelli’ IRCCS in Rome from January 2010 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. We reported perioperative and survival outcomes of vaginectomy with respect to a matched series of pelvic exenteration (PE). Results Fifteen women underwent vaginectomy and 30 patients were submitted to PE. No statistical differences were observed between the two groups at baseline characteristics. The vaginectomy proce…

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Celecoxib plus carboplatin in heavily pre-treated patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma: preliminary results of a Phase II study

5060 Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is associated with a poor chance of response to chemotherapy and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer (OC). Celecoxib, an orally active COX-2 inhibi...

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Invasive cervical cancer during pregnancy: laparoscopic nodal evaluation before oncologic treatment delay

Introduction. Cervical cancer is the most frequently encountered malignancy during pregnancy. Presence of nodal metastasis is the most important negative prognostic factor and its assessment represents a crucial parameter to decide if pregnancy can safely continue. We describe the results of 18 pregnant patients with cervical cancer who had their nodal status proved by means of laparoscopy. Material and methods. Eighteen patients with cervical cancer who underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy during pregnancy at Charit-University Berlin and Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena between 1999 and 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Results. The mean age at diagnosis was 32 years (26-40) a…

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Robotic Radical Hysterectomy After Concomitant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Phase II Study

Study Objective To assess the feasibility of total robotic radical surgery (TRRS) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) who receive chemoradiation therapy (CT/RT). Design A prospective (preplanned) study of a nonrandomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification level 2). Setting Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy. Patients Between September 2013 and January 2016, a total of 40 patients with LACC (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique stage IB2–III) were enrolled in the study. Interventions Robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) plus pelvic and/or aortic lymphadenectomy was attempted within 6 weeks after CT/RT. The feasibili…

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Laparoscopic staging of apparent early stage ovarian cancer: Results of a large, retrospective, multi-institutional series

Abstract Objective The aim of this study is to analyze the safety, adequacy, perioperative and survival figures in a large series of laparoscopic staging of patients with apparent early stage ovarian malignancies (ESOM). Patients and methods Retrospective data from seven gynecologic oncology service databases were searched for ESOM patients undergoing immediate laparoscopic staging or delayed laparoscopic staging after an incidental diagnosis of ESOM. Between May 2000 and February 2014, 300 patients were selected: 150 had been submitted to immediate laparoscopic staging (Group 1), while 150 had undergone delayed laparoscopic staging (Group 2) of ESOM. All surgical, pathologic, and oncologic…

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Role of one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) to detect sentinel lymph node low-volume metastasis in early-stage cervical cancer.

IntroductionGrowing evidence in the literature supports the accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in early-stage cervical cancer. One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) is a rapid assay able to detect cytokeratin 19-mRNA in SLNs, and it can be used for intra-operative detection of low-volume metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of low-volume metastasis in SLNs detected by OSNA in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Secondary aims were to define the sensitivity and the negative predictive value of SLN biopsy assessed with OSNA.MethodsAfter IRB approval, consecutive patients who underwent surgery for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics…

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Survival analyses from a randomized trial of primary debulking surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer with high tumor load (SCORPION trial).

5516Background: Previous randomized multicenter trials determined that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) was non-inferior to primary debulking surgery (PDS) for both progression-free (PFS) and overal...

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Can We Define the Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Patients? A Large-Scale, Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as one of the most appreciated techniques for reducing the rate of complete lymph node dissection (LND) performed in patients with early-stage cervical cancer (ECC). However, its performances are still a matter of debate and, to improve them, international guidelines recommend performing at least unilateral LND in case of SLN mapping. In a prior study, we identified a group of patients without evidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Our objective is to define a precise risk of LNM for each ECC patient in order to significantly tailor surgery for ECC. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data of ECC patients were retrospectively collect…

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Laparoscopic laterally extended endopelvic resection procedure for gynecological malignancies

ObjectivesPelvic side wall infiltration by gynecological malignancies has been considered for a long time an absolute contraindication to curative resection. The development of the laterally extended endopelvic resection (LEER) has challenged this surgical paradigm. Although the LEER has been standardized in open surgery, only small studies have been published about its endoscopic feasibility. The objective of this study is to analyze the safety of LEER in patients with gynecological malignancies involving the pelvic side wall.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of patients who underwent a laparoscopically modified LEER between July 2014 and November 2018. This indicate…

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Mesenteric Lymph Node Involvement in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Rectosigmoid Resection: Prognostic Role and Clinical Considerations

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the incidence of mesenteric lymph node (MLN) involvement, and its prognostic role in advanced ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: OC patients undergoing rectosigmoid resection during primary debulking surgery or interval debulking surgery were recorded. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of relapse/progression, death of disease, or the date of last follow-up. Results: MLNs were detected in 102/148 cases (68.9 %); the rate of MLN involvement was 47.0 %. The percentage of metastatic MLNs was higher in cases with >5 MLNs removed compared with cases with ≤5 MLNs …

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Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Secondary Cytoreduction in Ovarian Cancer Patients With Localized Spleen Recurrence: Feasibility and Technique

Abstract Study Objective To investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer with isolated spleen metastasis. Design (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Tertiary referral centre in Rome, Italy. Patients Eight women with an isolated platinum-sensitive splenic relapse of ovarian cancer. Intervention Between February 2013 and May 2015, 8 women with an isolated platinum-sensitive splenic relapse of ovarian cancer were submitted to laparoscopic splenectomy. Measurements and Main Results All patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy without conversion to an open approach. The median estimated intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL (ra…

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Peritoneal carcinosis of ovarian origin

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the second most common genital malignancy in women and is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with an estimated five-year survival rate of 39%. Despite efforts to develop an effective ovarian cancer screening method, 60% of patients still present with advanced disease. Comprehensive management using surgical cytoreduction to decrease the tumor load to a minimum, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy to eliminate microscopic disease on peritoneal surface, has the potential to greatly improve quality of life and to have an impact on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Despite achieving clinical remission after completion of initial treatment, most patients…

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Out-of-the-box pelvic surgery including iliopsoas resection for recurrent gynecological malignancies: Does that make sense? A single-institution case-series

Abstract Objective To report morbidity and oncological outcomes in a consecutive series of lateral isolated recurrent gynecological cancer involving the pelvic side wall (PSW) including the iliopsoas muscle. Material and methods We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series between 6/2013 and 12/2015 of lateral isolated recurrent gynecological malignancies treated with a lateral endopelvic resection (LEPR). LEPR was defined as an en-bloc lateral resection of a pelvic tumor with sidewall muscle, and/or bone, and/or major nerve, and/or major vascular structure. Post-surgical complications, quality of life (QoL) and survivals were computed. Results Seventy-four women with pelvic isolated r…

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From palliation to cure: PIPAC for peritoneal malignancies

Introduction Systemic chemotherapy offers poor control over peritoneal disease, maybe as a consequence of restricted drug availability within the abdominal cavity. Locoregional chemotherapy may overcome these shortcomings but its administration is limited to a few patients with confined peritoneal spread. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) emerged in the last years as a novel method of intraperitoneal drug administration. Evidence acquisition We report a meta-analysis of published studies on PIPAC safety and pathological anti-tumoral efficacy on PC from various tumor entities, with the aim of providing more evidence to support further research. This systematic review a…

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Investigating the possible impact of peritoneal tumor exposure amongst women with early stage cervical cancer treated with minimally invasive approach.

Abstract Introduction Recent findings show a detrimental impact of the minimally invasive approach on patients with early stage cervical cancer (ECC). Reasons beyond these results are unclear. The aim of the present article is to investigate the possible role of peritoneal contamination during intracorporeal colpotomy. Methods patients with early stage cervical cancer were divided into 2 groups: no intraperitoneal exposure (N-IPE) intraperitoneal exposure (IPE) during minimally invasive surgery. Patients of the 2 groups were propensity-matched according to the major risk factors. Results 226 cases of the IPE group had a significant worst prognosis than the 142 cases of the N-IPE group (4.5-…

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Protective Role of Conization Before Radical Hysterectomy in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Propensity-Score Matching Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic role and the perioperative outcomes of conization performed before radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical carcinoma. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective observational cohort study included patients with FIGO 2009 stage IB1 cervical carcinoma treated with radical hysterectomy between June 2004 and June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to conization before radical surgery. One-to-one case–control matching was used to adjust the baseline characteristics. Results: A total of 332 patients were included after propensity matching (166, 50% in each group). Twenty-four of 166 (14.4%) and 142 of 166 (85.6%…

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EP260 Is there still a role for laparoscopic radical hysterectomy? Personalizing surgical approach in early stage cervical cancer

Introduction/Background To compare survival outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery for radical hysterectomy (RH) among patients with early-stage cervical cancer (CC) and to identify which subgroups may benefit from one approach rather than the other. Methodology 237 and 303 consecutive patients, with clinical FIGO stage from IA1 with lymph vascular space involvement to IB1/IIA1 CC underwent open and laparoscopic RH respectively in 3 Italian Institutions. Differences in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) between the two surgical approaches were tested in the entire population and in different patient‘s subgroups. Results Median follow up was 34 months. Open and laparoscopy procedure…

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A Multicentric Randomized Trial to Evaluate the ROle of Uterine MANipulator on Laparoscopic/Robotic HYsterectomy for the Treatment of Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: The ROMANHY Trial

ObjectiveThis prospective randomized trial aimed to assess the impact of the uterine manipulator in terms of lymph vascular space invasion (LVSI) in patients undergoing minimally invasive staging for early-stage endometrial cancer.MethodsIn this multicentric randomized trial, enrolled patients were randomly allocated in two groups according to the no use (arm A) or the use (arm B) of the uterine manipulator. Inclusion criteria were G1-G2 early-stage endometrial cancer at preoperative evaluation. The variables collected included baseline demographic characteristics, perioperative data, final pathology report, adjuvant treatment, and follow-up.ResultsIn the study, 154 patients (76 in arm A an…

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Minimally invasive secondary cytoreduction plus HIPEC for recurrent ovarian cancer: a case series.

Objective To analyze the feasibility of laparoscopic/robotic secondary cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal intra-operative chemotherapy (SCS + HIPEC) in a retrospective series of isolated platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of ovarian cancer patients with isolated platinum sensitive relapse. Isolated relapse was defined as the presence of a single nodule, in a single anatomic site. In all cases the presence of isolated relapse was assessed at pre-operative FDG-PET/CT scan, and confirmed with staging laparoscopy performed immediately before SCS + HIPEC. Results 84 women with platinum sensitive relapse recei…

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Hepatoceliac Lymph Node Involvement in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients: Prognostic Role and Clinical Considerations.

Background: The study aimed too investigate the rate of hepatoceliac lymph node (HCLN) involvement, as well as its association with clinicopathologic features, together with morbidity of HCLN resection and the prognostic impact of metastatic HCLN status on patients with advanced ovarian cancer (OC) undergoing cytoreductive surgery. Methods: All consecutive patients with stages 3c to 4 epithelial OC who underwent HCLN surgery from January 2010 to September 2016 were analyzed for surgical procedures, pathology, and oncologic outcomes. Results: During the study period, 85 patients underwent HCLN resection. Absence of visible tumor at the end of surgery was documented for 73 of the patients (85…

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Minimally Invasive Approaches in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Surgery After Chemoradiotherapy: A Propensity Score Analysis

Abstract Purpose Chemoradiation (CT/RT) followed by radical surgery (RS) may play a role in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients with suboptimal response to CT/RT or in low-income countries with limited access to radiotherapy. Our aim is to evaluate oncological and surgical outcomes of minimally invasive radical surgery (MI-RS) compared with open radical surgery (O-RS). Patients and Methods Data for stage IB2–IVA cervical cancer patients managed by CT/RT and RS were retrospectively analyzed. Results Beginning with 686 patients, propensity score matching resulted in 462 cases (231 per group), balanced for FIGO stage, lymph node status, histotype, tumor grade, and clinical respons…

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Robotic versus laparoscopic radical hysterectomy in early cervical cancer: A case matched control study

Abstract Background This study aims at evaluating the feasibility, surgical outcome and oncological results observed after robotic radical hysterectomy (RH) compared to laparoscopy for patients with early stage cervical cancer (ECC) patients. Methods Between January 2010 and October 2016, 210 patients underwent RH for treatment of ECC: 70 underwent robotic approach (Cases), and 140 underwent laparoscopic approach (Controls). Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two approaches with regard to clinical patient characteristics and in terms of extent of RH and rate of pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy. Operative time was significantly longer in the robotic versus…

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Role of Cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in western countries, primarily because over 60% of patients with ovarian cancer will experience disease recurrence. Primary cytoreductive surgery and combination chemotherapy are the cornerstones of the initial treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer. The management of recurrent ovarian cancer is less clear than that of primary disease. The management of recurrent ovarian cancer is largely based on systemic chemotherapy, with surgery being offered only in selected individuals. Despite this, the benefits of surgery has been shown in a meta-analysis by Bristow et al. where the survival is influenced by the completeness …

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Could lymphadenectomy be avoided in locally advanced cervical cancer patients administered preoperative chemoradiation? A large-scale retrospective study

Abstract Introduction To identify a subset of cervical cancer (CC) patients administered chemoradiation (CT/RT) plus radical surgery (RS), who can be spared lymphadenectomy, and complications. Patients and methods 430 Stage IB2-IIB patients without LN involvement at imaging were accrued (March 1996–December 2015) at Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the Catholic University of Rome/Campobasso. CT/RT consisted of pelvic irradiation plus cisplatin based chemotherapy. Objective response was evaluated according to RECIST criteria; radical hysterectomy and pelvic ± aortic lymphadenectomy was attempted in patients achieving response or stable disease. Surgical morbidity was classified according to the …

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Definition of a dynamic laparoscopic model for the prediction of incomplete cytoreduction in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: Proof of a concept

Abstract Objective To develop an updated laparoscopy-based model to predict incomplete cytoreduction (RT>0) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC), after the introduction of upper abdominal surgery (UAS). Patients and methods The presence of omental cake, peritoneal extensive carcinomatosis, diaphragmatic confluent carcinomatosis, bowel infiltration, stomach and/or spleen and/or lesser omentum infiltration, and superficial liver metastases was evaluated by staging laparoscopy (S-LPS) in a consecutive series of 234 women with newly diagnosed AEOC, receiving laparotomic PDS after S-LPS. Parameters showing a specificity≥75%, PPV≥50%, and NPV≥50% received 1 point score, with an additional…

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Pelvic exenteration for recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma: a retrospective multi-institutional study about 21 patients.

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to evaluate morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (PE) with curative intent for recurrence of endometrial adenocarcinoma during a single decade.MethodsWe defined a cohort of 21 patients who met our inclusion criteria, referred to 4 cooperating gynecologic oncology settings in Germany and Italy between 2000 and 2011. Data regarding surgery, histology, and oncologic outcomes were collected and statistically evaluated. Survival was determined from the day of exenteration until the last follow-up or death.ResultsThe median age was 66 years. A total of 42.9% of the patients had major complications, and a compl…

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Beyond sentinel node algorithm. Toward a more tailored surgery for cervical cancer patients

none 12 Nowadays cervical cancer is frequently diagnosed at early stage. For these patients lymph node metastasis (LNM) is considered the most important prognostic factor. During the last decade many efforts have been made to reduce rate of complications associated with lymphadenectomy (LND). A great interest has arisen in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy as a technique able to decrease number of LND performed and, at the same time, to assess lymph nodal status. High diagnostic performances have been reached thanks to SLN surgical algorithm. However, despite the efforts, about 25% of these patients undergo at least unilateral LND to meet NCCN recommendations. Data of women with Internationa…

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Minimally Invasive Pelvic Exenteration for Gynecologic Malignancies: A Multi-Institutional Case Series and Review of the Literature.

ABSTRACT Study Objective To assess the feasibility and efficacy of minimally invasive pelvic exenteration (MIPE) in a multi-institutional Italian case series of women with gynecologic cancer and a review of the literature. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Three Italian university/teaching hospitals: “Agostino Gemelli” Foundation University Hospital in Rome, "ARNAS Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli” Hospital in Palermo, and “Maggiore della Carita” Hospital in Novara. Patients We reviewed all consecutive cases with gynecologic malignancies in this multi-institutional setting recorded between March 2014 and June 2017. Women with primary or centr…

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Randomized trial of primary debulking surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (SCORPION-NCT01461850)

ObjectiveTo investigate whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery is superior to primary debulking surgery in terms of perioperative complications and progression-free survival, in advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer patients with high tumor load.MethodsPatients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (stage IIIC-IV) underwent laparoscopy. Patients with high tumor load assessed by a standardized laparoscopic predictive index were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to undergo either primary debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (arm A), or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by int…

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Validation of tumour-free distance as novel prognostic marker in early-stage cervical cancer: a retrospective, single-centre, cohort study

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of tumour-free distance (TFD), defined as the minimum distance of uninvolved stroma between the tumour and peri-cervical stromal ring, in early-stage cervical cancer. Methods: Patients with pathologic FIGO 2009 stage IA1–IIA2 cervical cancer, treated by primary radical surgical treatment between 01/2000 and 11/2019, were retrospectively included. Adjuvant treatment was administered according to the presence of previously established pathologic risk factors. TFD was measured histologically on the hysterectomy specimen. Pre-operative TFD measured at MRI-scan from a cohort of patients was reviewed and compared with pat…

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