Para-aortic Lymph Node Status Research Articles

CEA as a Tumor Marker in Predicting Pelvic and Para-aortic Lymph Node Metastasis in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cervix

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the major cause of death from gynecological malignancies. Isolated paraaortic lymph node metastasis detected on the initial diagnosis of cervical cancers could be addressed via extended paraaortic lymph node irradiation. Serum Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is useful in detecting early Para aortic lymph node (PALN). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients of histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of cervix have been recruited into the study. We assessed pelvic and Para aortic lymph node status via CT or MRI scans. Serum CEA ranges had been evaluated in all from stage I to IV before starting the treatment.Results: We observed that high pretreatment CEA values were associated with the pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis 65.2% of the patients with high pretreatment CEA value had PALN metastasis (p=0.002). 47.8% of the patients with high CEA had pelvic lymph nodal metastasis (p=0.077) and 70% of the patients with high pretreatment CEA had both Pelvic and PALN metastasis which was statistically significant (p=0.020).Conclusion: Carcinoembryonic antigen levels should help to prognosticate the Carcinoma Cervix patients and predict the presence of Para-aortic and Pelvic lymph nodes. This may be effective tool for detecting early failures in patients with Carcinoma Cervix

Oncologic outcomes of surgical para-aortic lymph node staging in patients with advanced cervical carcinoma undergoing chemoradiation

ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the utilization and impact of surgical para-aortic lymph node staging on the survival of patients with locally advanced stage cervical carcinoma receiving definitive chemoradiation.MethodsWe identified patients...

Prognostic impact of para-aortic lymph node status in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm – Time to consider a reclassification?

BackgroundPara-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) correlates with poor prognosis. The role of PALN in invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (inv-IPMN) has not been well explored. The present study investigated the rate of metastatic PALN, lymph node ratio (LNR) and the overall nodal (N) status as prognostic factors in PDAC and inv-IPMN. MethodsThis consecutive single-center series included patients with PDAC or inv-IPMN in the pancreatic head who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy, including PALN resection between 2009 and 2018. Median overall survival (mOS) and impact of clinicopathological factors, including PALN status on survival, were evaluated. Results403 patients were included, 314 had PDAC and 89 inv-IPMN. PALN were metastatic in 16% of PDAC and 17% of inv-IPMN. N0 status was present in 6% of the patients with PDAC and 16% of inv-IPMN patients (p = 0.007). LNR >15% was more common in PDAC (52%) than in inv-IPMN (34%) (p = 0.004). mOS was 12.7 months in the presence of PALN metastases and 22.7 months without (p < 0.0001). Age >70 years, CA19-9 >200 U/mL, PDAC and N2 status were significantly associated with worse survival in a multivariable analysis. PALN status and LNR were not independent prognostic factors. In N2 status mOS was similar regardless the presence of PALN metastases. ConclusionThe frequency of PALN metastases was similar in PDAC and inv-IPMN. Although PALN positive status entailed a shorter mOS, it was not an independent risk factor for death, and did not influence survival in N2-staged disease. The M1-status for PALN positivity may need reconsideration.

A Prediction Model for Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastasis in Cervical Cancer by Radiomics Analysis Using Pre-Treatment MRI Images of the Primary Tumor

Whole pelvis irradiation (WPI) is the standard radiation technique for locally advanced cervical cancer without para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis. PALN is one of the most common late failure sites in patients treated with WPI. Although there are several reports about the utility of prophylactic extended-field irradiation (EFI), it is still controversial which patients benefit from prophylactic EFI. If we could predict a PALN metastasis from pre-treatment imaging data, it might help patients to select prophylactic EFI. This study aimed to construct a predictive model for the PALN metastasis in patients with cervical cancer by radiomics analysis using pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the primary tumor.Data of 94 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy between 2003/10 and 2018/2 were split into two sets: 66 patients for the training/validation and 28 patients for testing. The PALN status was classified into two groups (positive or negative). Both the synchronous and metachronous PALN metastasis was classified as PALN positive. A total number of 9394 radiomics features per a patient image were extracted from T1- and T2-weighted MRI images. The set of candidate predictors were selected with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and build predictive models with neural network classifiers were used. The precision, accuracy, and sensitivity by generating confusion matrices and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each model were evaluated.By the LASSO analysis of the training/validation data, we found 9 radiomics features from T1-weighted MRI image and 61 radiomics features from T2-weighted MRI image for the classification. The accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and AUC of the prediction model for the dataset in testing group were 67.9 %, 91.0%, 10.0%, and 0.60 with T1-weighted MRI image, 95.7%, 97.0%, 92.5%, and 0.98 with T2-weighted MRI image, 96.4%, 99.0%, 90.7%, and 0.99 with the combination of T1 and T2-weighted MRI images, respectively.We constructed a model to predict the PALN metastasis in patients with cervical cancer using pre-treatment MRI image-based radiomics and machine learning. The model based on T2-weighted image or combination of T1 and T2-wighted MRI image showed promising prediction accuracy. This model may be useful to select patients who benefit from prophylactic EFI.I. Nishibuchi: None. D. Kawahara: None. M. Kawamura: None. K. Kubo: None. N. Imano: None. Y. Takeuchi: None. A. Saito: None. Y. Murakami: None. Y. Nagata: None.

Preoperative CT or PET/CT to Assess Pelvic and Para-Aortic Lymph Node Status in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the LION trial restricted lymphadenectomy indication to patients with suspect lymph nodes before and during surgery. Preoperative imaging is used to assess lymph node status, and particularly CT and PET/CT. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative CT and PET/CT to detect lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with EOC; Methods: Databases were searched from January 1990 to May 2019 for studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative CT and PET/CT to detect LNM in patients with EOC with histology as the gold standard. Pooled diagnostic accuracy was calculated using bivariate random-effects models and hierarchical summary receiver operating curve (HSROC). This study is registered with PROSPERO number CRD42020179214; Results: A total of five studies were included in the meta-analysis: four articles concerned preoperative CT and four articles concerned preoperative PET/CT, involving 106 and 138 patients, respectively. For preoperative CT, pooled sensitivity was 0.47 95% CI [0.20–0.76], pooled specificity was 0.99 95% CI [0.75–1.00] and area under the curve (AUC) of the HSROC was 0.91 95% CI [0.88–0.93]. For preoperative PET/CT, pooled sensitivity was 0.81 95% CI [0.61–0.92], pooled specificity was 0.96 95% CI [0.91–0.99] and AUC of the HSROC was 0.97 95% CI [0.95–0.98]; Conclusions: PET/CT has a very high diagnostic accuracy, especially for specificity, to detect LNM in EOC and should be realized systematically, additionally to CT recommended to evaluate peritoneal spread, in the preoperative staging of patients with an advanced disease.

Para-aortic lymph nodes and ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: Distant neighbors?

BackgroundPara-aortic lymph nodes in the ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head are regarded as distant metastases. Chemotherapy is considered the only treatment option if para-aortic lymph nodes metastases are detected preoperatively or intraoperatively. The role of standardized para-aortic lymph node lymphadenectomy during pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate complication profiles and survival. MethodsAll cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were evaluated from a prospectively maintained database (n = 289). Para-aortic lymph node lymphadenectomy was routinely performed in all patients with suspected ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Subgroup analysis was performed between patients with histologically positive (+) and negative (-) para-aortic lymph nodes. Patients receiving pancreaticoduodenectomy without para-aortic lymph node lymphadenectomy for other causes served as a control group. ResultsA total of 192 patients received para-aortic lymph node lymphadenectomy, of which 41 were positive for para-aortic lymph node metastases. In 97 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head, no para-aortic lymph node lymphadenectomy was performed owing to postoperative pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosis. Clinicopathologic data were homogenously distributed. Hospital stay and postoperative morbidity demonstrated no significant difference between the 3 subgroups. The median overall survival of 19.63 months (95% confidence interval: 14.57–24.79 months) in para-aortic lymph node– patients was not statistically different when compared with the median overall survival of 18.22 months (95% confidence interval: 12.68–23.75 months) in para-aortic lymph node + patients (log-rank test P = .223). Preoperative computed tomography was a poor predictor for para-aortic lymph node status (sensitivity = 10.3%, specificity = 97.8%). ConclusionThis study represents the largest cohort receiving routine para-aortic lymph node lymphadenectomy. Extended lymphadenectomy can be performed safely and, although disease-free survival of para-aortic lymph node+ patients was significantly shorter, overall survival and postrelapse survival were on par with that of para-aortic lymph node– patients. Preoperative computed tomography indicating para-aortic lymph node metastasis should not preclude curative resection.

Impact of surgical para-aortic lymph node staging for patients with advanced-stage cervical carcinoma undergoing definitive chemoradiation

<h3>Objectives:</h3> Evaluate the utilization and impact of surgical para-aortic surgical staging on the survival of patients with locally advanced-stage cervical carcinoma receiving definitive chemoradiation. <h3>Methods:</h3> Patients diagnosed between 2004-2015 with advanced stage (IIA-IVA) squamous, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix with no distant metastases who did not undergo hysterectomy and received primary chemoradiation (external beam with or without brachytherapy) with at least one month of follow-up were identified in the National Cancer Database. Two groups were formed based on the assessment method of the para-aortic lymph node status; radiologic assessment versus surgical lymphadenectomy (PaLND). Overall survival was compared with the log-rank test following generation of Kaplan-Meier curves and a Cox multivariate model was constructed to control for a priori selected confounders. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 3610 patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified. Surgical para-aortic staging was performed for 287 (8%) patients. Patients who had PaLND were younger (median 49 vs 53 years, p<0.001) more likely to have private insurance (49.1% vs 35.2%, p<0.001), or stage II disease (63.4% vs 56.3%, p=0.019), and receive brachytherapy (74.2% vs 66.9%, p<0.001). Patients who underwent PaLND were also more likely to have LNs categorized as positive (16.1% vs 11.2%, p=0.014). There was no difference in OS between patients who underwent primary radiologic vs primary surgical para-aortic LN assessment, p=0.42; 5-year OS rates were 55.6% for both groups. After controlling for patient age, race, insurance status, stage, histology, presence of comorbidities, history of another tumor, and receipt of brachytherapy, performance of PaLND was not associated with a survival benefit (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.86, 1.29). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> In a large cohort of patients with locally advanced stage cervical carcinoma, undergoing primary chemoradiation, staging PaLND was rarely performed and not associated with a survival benefit.

How to predict para-aortic node involvement in advanced cervical cancer? Development of a predictive score. A FRANCOGYN study

IntroductionNode involvement is one of the main prognostic factors for cervical cancer. Para-aortic lymph node (PALN) assessment is crucial for treating advanced cervical cancer, to define irradiation fields. Objective of this study was to develop a score predicting para-aortic lymph node involvement in patients with advanced cervical cancer. Patients and methodWe performed a multicenter, retrospective, study on 9 French centers from 2000 to 2015, including patients with advanced squamous cell cervix carcinoma who had PALN status assessed by imaging and/or by surgery. Factors associated with a risk of PALN involvement were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model. A score was then developed and validated. ResultsA total of 1446 patients treated for cervical cancer were included. Of these, 498 had an advanced squamous cell cervical cancer. Ninety-one patients (18.3%) had positive PALN. After univariate and multivariate analysis, tumor size on pelvic MRI, initial SCC, and suspected pelvic node involvement on PET-CT were included in our score. This model allowed the population to be divided into 3 risk groups. Area under the ROC curve of the score was 0.81 (95%CI = 0.72–0.90). In the low-risk group, 9% (28/287) had PALN involvement, whereas in the high-risk group, 43% (22/51) had PALN involvement. ConclusionWe developed a simple score predicting PALN involvement in advanced cervical cancers. Three risk groups can be defined, and patients considered to be at low risk may avoid para-aortic staging as well as extensive field irradiation.

Added value of para-aortic surgical staging compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT on the external beam radiation field for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer: An ONCO-GF study

ObjectiveExtended field chemoradiation is recommended for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases. The radiation planning may be based on PET/CT while others recommend to rely on surgical staging. We report the rate of patients for whom the radiation field defined on PET/CT was modified by the histological PALN status. MethodsBetween March 2010 and December 2016, 168 consecutive patients with LACC underwent a pre-therapeutic PET/CT and PALN dissection. The data were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic performance of the PET/CT for definition of PALN status was calculated. We determined the percentage of patients for whom PALN dissection altered the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) field defined on the PET/CT basis. ResultsOf 151 patients with negative PALNs on PET/CT, 26 had histological PALN metastases. Of 17 patients with positive PALNs on PET/CT, 9 were negative on histology of which 7 were located in the common iliac region. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of PET/CT were 23.5, 93.3, 47.1 and 82.8% respectively. In total, 35 out of 168 patients underwent EBRT - field adaptation (pelvic vs extended field). The rate of radiation field modification (27,7%) was particularly high in the subgroup of patients with metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) on PET/CT. ConclusionPara-aortic surgical staging contributes significantly to individualize the radiation treatment of patients with LACC, particularly for those with positive PLNs at PET/CT. Indication of surgical staging deserves particular attention when the PET/CT suggests positive LNs in the common iliac region.

FIGO 2018 Staging Shifts in Cervical Cancer Patients Who Received Definitive Chemoradiation

Comparison of outcomes and shifts in stage using the 2018 FIGO cervical cancer staging in patients with known paraaortic lymph node status treated with definitive chemoradiation (CRT) has not been described. Our goal is to report these shifts and outcomes. A single institutional retrospective review was performed on 141 patients with IRB approval who received definitive CRT from 2000-2018. Patient data, including PET/CT or CT for work-up, were used to determine shifts with restaging from the FIGO 2009 to the FIGO 2018 system. Survival was then analyzed using log-rank tests to compare overall survival. Of 141 cervical patients staged per FIGO 2009, 15% (21) and 30.4% (43) were stage II and III, respectively (Table 1). Re-analysis with FIGO 2018 system resulted in higher stage in all subgroups except IAI, IA2, IVA, and IVB disease. Upstaging occurred in the majority of patients: 8 (73%) of the stage IB1 patients, (37% to IB2, 9% to IB3, and 27% to IIIC1), 18 (100%) of stage IB2 patients, (67% to IB3, 28% to IIIC1, and 5% to IIIC2), 3 (27%) of stage IIA1 patients, (9% to IIIC1 and 18% to IVB), 5 (50%) of stage IIA2 patients, (40% to IIIC1 and 10% to IIIC2), 19 (54%) of stage IIB patients (20% to IIIC1, 23% to IIIC2, and 11% to IVB), 3 (75%) of the stage IIIA patients (75% to IIIC1), 28 (72%) of the stage IIIB patients, (38% to IIIC1, 18% to IIIC2, 3% to IVA, and 13% to IVB). Survival analysis was performed to compare FIGO 2009 and 2018 staging without any statistical significance seen between the two groups for stage I (p=0.79), stage IIA (p=0.88), stage IIB (p=0.42), stage IIIA/IIIB (p=0.86), and stage IV (p=0.16). A trend toward significance when comparing survival for the FIGO 2009 IIIA/IIIB and FIGO 2018 IIIC2 stage was noted with stage IIIC2 patients having a worse median survival (33 months) compared to stage IIIB/IIIA patients (66 months), p=0.059. Migration to higher stage subgroups occurred in the majority of patients with use of the FIGO 2018 staging system. Survival outcomes for stages I, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV correlate with the previous 2009 system. Para-aortic node involvement on imaging (FIGO stage IIIC2) correlated with worse survival that trended towards significance when compared to stage FIGO IIIA/IIIB disease, validating the utility of separating these two groups.Abstract 2766; Table 1Staging shifts based on FIGO 2009 vs. FIGO 2018 stagingFIGO 2009Total Number of Patients (141)FIGO 2018Stage 1A1, 1A22 (1%), 2 (1%)Same stageStage 1B1, 1B2, 1B311 (8%), 18 (13%), NAUpstaged 8 (73%), 18 (100%), NAStage IIA1, IIA211 (8%), 10 (7%)Upstaged 3 (27%), 5 (50%)Stage IIB35 (25%)Upstaged 19/35 (54%) 7/35 (20%) - Stage IIIC1 8/35 (23%) - Stage IIIC2 4/35 (11%) - Stage IVBStage IIIA4 (3%)Upstaged 3/4 (75%) 3/4 (75%)- Stage IIIC1Stage IIIB39(27%)Upstaged 28/39 (72%) 15/39 (38%) -Stage IIIC1 7/39 (18%) - Stage IIIC2 1/39 (3%) - Stage IVA 5/39 (13%)- Stage IVBStage IIIC1 and IIIC2NAStage IVA and IVB5/141 (4%) and 4/141 (3%)Same stageOverall141Same stage 57/141 (40%) Upstaged 84/141 (60%) Open table in a new tab

Isolated para-aortic lymph node metastasis in FIGO stage IA2-IB2 carcinoma of the cervix: Revisiting the role of surgical assessment

ObjectivesTo investigate the utility of para-aortic lymph node dissection among women undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph adenectomy for FIGO Stage IA2-IB2 cervical cancer using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). MethodsWe identified patients with stage IA2-IB2 squamous cell, adenosquamous, or adenocarcinoma of the cervix diagnosed 2011–2014 in the NCDB. The primary outcome was the negative predictive value of histologically assessed pelvic lymph node status for para-aortic lymph node status among women undergoing pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. We calculated probability of para-aortic lymph node metastasis conditional on pelvic lymph node status. Finally, we compared overall survival between patients undergoing para-aortic lymph node dissection and those in whom this procedure was omitted. ResultsA total of 3212 patients met study inclusion criteria, of whom 994 (30.9%) underwent para-aortic lymph node dissection. In this group, the risk of isolated para-aortic metastasis was 0.11%. The negative predictive value of surgically assessed pelvic lymph nodes to predict para-aortic lymph node status was 99.9% (95% CI 99.9–99.9). Among 93 patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis, 18 (19.4%) had concurrent para-aortic lymph node metastasis. There was no difference in overall survival between women undergoing pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection compared with those undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy only (p = 0.69). ConclusionsIn patients undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for stage IA2-IB2 cervical cancer, para-aortic lymph node dissection is not warranted based on the low risk of isolated metastatic disease, and lack of survival benefit associated with the procedure.

Prognostic Impact of Pretreatment Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography SUVmax in Patients With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SUVmax fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) measured in the primary tumor, pelvic and para-aortic node with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. A total of 92 patients with histological diagnosis of locally advanced cervical cancer are treated with radiochemotherapy plus brachytherapy boost from January 2008 to April 2014 in our Institution. A pretreatment FDG-PET/CT for staging and radiotherapy planning was performed, and the value of SUVmax measured in primary tumor and positive nodes was related to DFS and OS. Univariate analysis showed that DFS is related to FDG-PET/CT positive para-aortic nodes (P = 0.01), International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage of disease (P = 0.01), and primary tumor SUVmax (P = 0.02), and OS is related to positive para-aortic nodes (P = 0.01) and primary tumor SUVmax (P = 0.02).In multivariate analysis, DFS is modified by FDG-PET/CT positive para-aortic lymph nodes, stage and high T SUVmax (P = 0.02; P = 0.003; P = 0.04), but the only worse prognostic factor of OS is the high SUVmax in the primary tumor (P = 0.01). We found that T SUVmax, stage, and para-aortic lymph node status assessed by FDG-PET were independent prognostic factors of DFS, whereas only T SUVmax correlated with OS.

Clinical significance of pretreatment serum levels of VEGF and its receptors, IL- 8, and their prognostic value in type I and II endometrial cancer patients.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the usefulness of the determination of cytokines: IL-8, VEGF and its soluble receptors: VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2 in patients with endometrial cancer (EC).Material/MethodsThe study group consisted of 118 patients with EC subjected to surgical treatment. Before the treatment we determined the serum levels of cytokines IL-8, and VEGF as well as VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 receptors. For comparison, the concentration of CA 125 was also measured. VEGFR1 and CA 125 were determined in the COBAS e601 system using Roche Diagnostics kits, while IL-8, VEGF and VEGFR2 were measured by ELISA assay using R&D Systems kits.ResultsThe concentrations of IL-8, VEGF, VEGFR1 and CA 125 allowed to distinguish patients for the control group. The highest diagnostic sensitivity has been shown for the concentrations of VEGF (AUC = 0.904) and IL-8 (AUC = 0.818). Among all studied parameters only CA125 concentrations increased with the clinical stage; being significantly higher in patients in FIGO III-IV, than FIGO I-IB. In patients at the FIGO stage I-IB, complementary determinations of CA 125 and VEGF resulted in the largest increase of diagnostic sensitivity. Patients with metastases to the para-aortic lymph nodes had significantly higher levels of VEGF compared to subjects without such lesions. The concentrations of IL-8 were an independent prognostic factor in the assessment of overall survival in patients with type I endometrial cancer, while the concentrations of VEGFR2 in those with type II.ConclusionsIn patients with endometrial cancer, the clinical usefulness of IL-8 and VEGFR2 measurements as the potential prognostic factors has been demonstrated. In type I, the concentrations of IL-8 determined before treatment can be helpful in predicting overall survival. In patients qualified to type II EC, the concentrations of VEGFR2 have the value of an independent prognostic factor for overall survival, this requires research on larger groups of patients. The increased levels of VEGF may be useful in the preoperative assessment of the status of para-aortic lymph nodes.

Para-aortic lymph node metastases in pancreatic cancer should not be considered a watershed for curative resection

No international consensus regarding the resection of the para-aortic lymph node (PALN) station Ln16b1 during pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been reached. The present retrospectively investigated 264 patients with PDAC who underwent curative pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy between 2005–2015. In 95 cases, the PALN were separately labelled and histopathologically analysed. Metastatic PALN (PALN+) were found in 14.7% (14/95). PALN+ stage was associated with increased regional lymph node metastasis. The median overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic PALN and with non-metastatic PALN (PALN−) was 14.1 and 20.2 months, respectively. Five of the PALN+ patients (36%) survived >19 months. The OS of PALN+ and those staged pN1 PALN− was not significantly different (P = 0.743). Patients who underwent surgical exploration or palliative surgery (n = 194) had a lower median survival of 8.8 (95% confidence interval: 7.3–10.1) months. PALN status could not be reliably predicted by preoperative computed tomography. We concluded that the survival data of PALN+ cases is comparable with advanced pN+ stages; one-third of the patients may expect longer survival after radical resection. Therefore, routine refusal of curative resection in the case of PALN metastasis is not indicated.

Extraperitoneal lymph node dissection in locally advanced cervical cancer; the prognostic factors associated with survival.

Objective:Surgical staging was recently recommended for the decision of treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer. We aimed to investigate clinical outcomes as well as factors associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who had undergone extraperitoneal lymph node dissection and were managed according to their lymph node status.Material and Methods:The medical records of 233 women with stage IIb-IVa cervical cancer who were clinically staged and underwent extraperitoneal lymph node dissection were retrospectively reviewed. Paraaortic lymph node status determined the appropriate radiotherapeutic treatment field. Surgery-related complications and clinical outcomes were evaluated.Results:The median age of the patients was 52 years (range, 26-88 years) and the median follow-up time was 28.4 months (range, 3-141 months). Thirty-one patients had laparoscopic extraperitoneal lymph node dissection and 202 patients underwent laparotomy. The number of paraaortic lymph nodes extracted was similar for both techniques. Sixty-two (27%) of the 233 patients had paraaortic lymph node metastases. The 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 55.1% and 46.5%, respectively. The stage of disease, number of metastatic paraaortic lymph nodes, tumor type, and paraaortic lymph node status were associated with OS. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, tumor type, stage, and presence of paraaortic lymph node metastases were the independent prognostic factors of OS.Conclusion:Paraaortic lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor affecting survival. Surgery would give hints about the prognosis and treatment planning of the patient.

Prediction model for para-aortic lymph node metastasis in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

ObjectiveConcurrent chemoradiotherapy is usually administered to patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Extended-field chemoradiotherapy is required if para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis is detected. This study aimed to construct a prediction model for PALN metastasis in patients with LACC before definitive treatment. MethodsBetween 2009 and 2016, all consecutive patients with LACC who underwent para-aortic lymphadenectomy at two tertiary centers were retrospectively analyzed. A multivariate logistic model was constructed, from which a prediction model for PALN metastasis was developed and internally validated. Before analysis, risk grouping was predefined based on the likelihood ratio. ResultsIn total, 245 patients satisfied the eligibility criteria. Thirty-four patients (13.9%) had pathologically proven PALN metastases. Additionally, 16/222 (7.2%) patients with negative PALNs on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) had PALN metastasis. Moreover, 11/105 (10.5%) patients with both negative PALNs and positive pelvic lymph nodes on PET/CT had PALN metastasis. Tumor size on magnetic resonance imaging and PALN status on PET/CT were independent predictors of PALN metastasis. The model incorporating these two predictors displayed good discrimination and calibration (bootstrap-corrected concordance index=0.886; 95% confidence interval=0.825–0.947). The model categorized 169 (69%), 52 (22%), and 23 (9%) patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively. The predicted probabilities of PALN metastasis for these groups were 2.9, 20.8, and 76.2%, respectively. ConclusionWe constructed a robust model predicting PALN metastasis in patients with LACC that may improve clinical trial design and help clinicians determine whether nodal-staging surgery should be performed.

The Level of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen and Lymph Node Metastasis in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.

This study aimed to determine the utility and a cut-off level of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) to predict lymph node metastasis in locally advanced cervical cancer cases. We also investigated the correlation between SCC-Ag level and lymph node status. From June 2009 to June 2014, 232 patients with cervical cancer stage IB2-IVA, who were treated at Ramathibodi Hospital, were recruited. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the best cut-off point of SCC-Ag level to predict lymph node metastasis. Quantile regression was performed to evaluate the correlation between SCC-Ag levels and pelvic lymph node metastasis, paraaortic lymph node metastasis, and parametrial involvement as well as tumor size. Pelvic lymph node metastasis and paraaortic lymph node metastasis were diagnosed in 46.6% and 20.1% of the patients, respectively. The median SCC-Ag level was 6 ng/mL (range, 0.5 to 464.6 ng/ mL). The areas under ROC curves between SCC-Ag level and pelvic lymph node metastasis, paraaotic lymph node metastasis, parametrial involvements were low. SCC-Ag level was significantly correlated with paraaortic lymph node status (p=0.045) but not with pelvic lymph node status and parametrial involvement. SCC-Ag level was also related to the tumor diameter (p<0.05). SCC-Ag level is not a good predictor for pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis. However, it is still beneficial to assess the tumor burden of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Comparison of radiation therapy alone and concurrent chemoradiation therapy in stage III cervical cancer: A multicenter retrospective study

To evaluate whether concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) improves overall survival as compared to radiation therapy (RT) alone in stage III cervical cancers. A multicenter retrospective review. Nine tertiary medical centers in Korea. A total of 277 patients treated for stage III cervical cancer without para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis based on clinical staging workup from 1996 to 2003. Medical and histopathological record review. Disease-specific overall survival. CRT and RT alone were performed in 172 and 105 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in disease-specific overall survival between the CRT and RT alone arms based on clinical staging workup, even though the CRT arm was characterized by younger age, more favorable performance status and lower pretreatment blood urea nitrogen level as compared to the RT alone arm. In the CRT arm, three patients succumbed to treatment-related death. CRT does not improve the overall survival rate in stage III cervical cancer as compared to RT alone based on clinical staging workup for PALN status. Special care needs to be taken regarding optimal dose and duration of RT, use of brachytherapy, anemia control and accurate pretreatment staging workup to improve survival outcome in patients with stage III cervical cancer.

Preoperative hemoglobin and platelet count and poor prognostic factors in patients with endometrial carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative hemoglobin and platelet count and prognostic factors in patients with endometrial cancer. Sixty-one patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment consisting of total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, infracolic omentectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, and peritoneal cytology were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative hemoglobin and platelet count, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node status, depth of myometrial invasion, grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVSI), adnexal involvement, positive peritoneal cytology, cervical stromal invasion, and tumor size were investigated. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Fishers Exact and Chi-square tests were used for univariate analyses. The multivariate analysis was performed with logistic regression analyses. Twenty-six (42.6%) patients had a pre-treatment hemoglobin value of < or =12 g/dL. These 26 patients had significantly higher rates of positive cytology (P = 0.008), advanced FIGO stage (P = 0.03), omental metastases (P = 0.01), cervical involvement (P = 0.02), and thrombocytosis (P = 0.02). The multivariate analysis revealed cervical involvement (P = 0.019, OR = 4.030, 95% CI = 1.255-12.947) and positive peritoneal cytology (P = 0.022, OR = 12.509, 95% CI = 1.43-109.36) to be significantly associated with low hemoglobin level. In the univariate analysis, the presence of cervical involvement and lymphatic metastasis were associated with significantly higher median preoperative platelet counts. Low pre-treatment hemoglobin level may reflect poor prognostic factors such as positive cytology and cervical involvement in patients with endometrial cancer that is associated with thrombocytosis.

The role of omentectomy during the surgical staging in patients with clinical stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether omentectomy should be a routine part of staging surgery in endometrioid adenocarcinoma. A retrospective study was performed on 65 patients who were primarily treated by total abdominal hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, infracolic omentectomy and peritoneal cytology for clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma between January 2002 and December 2005. Data on 65 patients who had been diagnosed with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma were reviewed. Associations in the data obtained, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node status, depth of myometrial invasion, grade, vascular invasion, adnexal involvement, positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, cervical stromal invasion, and tumor size, were investigated. The Chi-square (chi(2)) test was used for statistical analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed with logistic regression analyses. Four (6.2%) of 65 patients had omental metastasis, which was microscopic in two patients. As for extrauterine spread, the positivity rate of lymph node metastases was 10/65 (15.38%), peritoneal cytology was 7/65 (10.76%), and adnexal metastases was 10/65 (15.38%). Of those patients with omental metastasis, 2/10(20%) had positive nodes, 2/10(20%) had adnexal metastases, and 3/7(42.8%) had positive peritoneal cytologic findings. These four patients with omental metastasis had significantly higher rates of positive cytology (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed omental metastasis (P = 0.002; OR 46.5, CI 95% 3.899-554.575) to be significantly associated with positive peritoneal cytology We conclude that despite the presence of normal-appearing omentum, omentectomy should be performed as a component of surgical staging in the presence of positive peritoneal cytology.