Ovulation induction treatment and risk of borderline ovarian tumors

Aim. Research has suggested an association between the use of ovulation induction drugs and the risk of ovarian cancer. It has also been proposed that there may be pre-cancerous alterations in the ovary which themselves are the cause of infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of ovulation induction drugs and the appearance of borderline ovarian tumors.

Material and methods. This was a case–control study in which the study group comprised 42 women with a borderline ovarian tumor and the control group comprised 257 women with benign ovarian pathology.

Results. No differences were found between the borderline tumor and control groups (14.3% vs. 27.2%, respectively) in terms of infertility history. Nor were there any differences between the groups with respect to the type of drug used, whether clomiphene citrate (9.5% vs. 6.2%, respectively) or gonadotropins (7.1% vs. 10.1%, respectively). Analysis in terms of the number of cycles administered also failed to reveal any differences. The mean number of cycles with clomiphene citrate/gonadotropins was 2.50 ± 1.00 and 3.00 ± 2.64 in the borderline tumor group and 2.44 ± 1.75 and 3.27 ± 2.25 in the control group.

Conclusions. Our series produced no evidence that ovulation induction treatment predisposes women to the development of borderline ovarian tumors.     

Risk of borderline ovarian tumors among women with benign ovarian tumors: A cohort study

Objective

A growing number of studies suggest that some ovarian cancers can arise from benign and borderline ovarian tumors. However, studies on the association between benign and borderline ovarian tumors are lacking. We studied the overall- and histotype-specific risk of borderline ovarian tumors among women with a benign ovarian tumor.

Expression of integrin adhesion molecules in normal ovary and epithelial ovarian tumors

The metastatic potential of a solid tumor is dependent upon its ability to interact with the extracellular matrix. The integrin superfamily is a group of proteins that are fundamental in such interactions and play a major role in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Localization of the integrin proteins was performed in normal ovary, primary epithelial ovarian tumors and metastatic tumor cells in ascitic samples. Expression of α₁, α₃, α₆ and β₄ was observed on normal ovarian epithelium with variable expression of α₅. Loss of α₁ expression by malignant cells in the primary tumors was noted. β₄, a component of the laminin receptor which was strongly expressed by both normal ovary and solid tumor, was absent from the ascitic tumor cells in the majority of cases. There was an associated loss of α₆ expression, indicating a deficiency of hemidesmosomes in the ascitic tumor cells. This alteration of integrin expression by metastatic malignant epithelial ovarian tumor cells may therefore represent one important mechanism by which metastatic disease occurs.     

术前诊断卵巢交界性肿瘤的超声特征

目的探讨卵巢交界性肿瘤的术前超声特点，以便早期诊断。方法总结分析1995年10月-2005年12月，在我院住院手术的卵巢交界性肿瘤患者，术前经阴道超声检查、多普勒血流频谱检测，手术病理证实为交界性卵巢肿瘤的患者共54例，年龄18-82岁。同时与同期手术的卵巢良性上皮性肿瘤60例、I期卵巢癌22例做对比。结果54例卵巢交界性肿瘤中，浆液性19例，黏液性28例，混合型7例。其中浆液性肿瘤与黏液性肿瘤相比，肿瘤体积小（P=0．003）、单房多见（P〈0．001）、其内多有乳头与实性区（P〈0．001）。54例卵巢交界性肿瘤中，29／54（53．70％）例内壁有乳头或实性区，良性肿瘤7／60（11．67％）例内壁有乳头或实性区，I期卵巢癌20／22（90．91％）例内壁有乳头或实性区（P〈0．001）。50例交界性肿瘤行彩色多普勒检查，45／50（90．00％）例可探测到血流信号（与良性肿瘤相比P〈0．001；与I期卵巢癌相比P=0．297），其中29例阻力指数〈0．50。结论经阴道超声检查发现卵巢囊性肿物内出现乳头状突起、实性区或密集房隔、房隔增厚时应警惕有可能为交界性肿瘤，如联合多普勒血流频谱检测肿瘤阻力指数〈0．50更有助于术前诊断。     

Recurrence and prognostic factors in borderline ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival estimates and clinico-pathological variables in patients treated for borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: The patients treated for borderline ovarian tumors were evaluated retrospectively. Data were obtained from hospital records and special gynecologic oncology forms. RESULTS: Overall, 100 patients were evaluated. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 41.7 (range, 19-84). Seventy one (71%) patients underwent surgical staging including 49 (49%) of them with comprehensive surgical staging, 22 (22%) with fertility-sparing surgery. Only 30 (30%) patients were unstaged. The histopathological diagnosis was serous, mucinous, and the other types of borderline ovarian tumor in 54 (54%), 39 (39%), and 7 (7%) of the patients, respectively. Seventy patients had stage IA (70%), 10 had stage IB (10%), 9 had stage IC (9%), 3 had stage IIIA (3%), and 8 had stage IIIC (8%) disease. The stage of only four patients in which disease confined to ovary was upgraded as stage IIIC following surgical staging procedure. The recurrence rate was found 3% (3). The overall disease-free survival rates of BOT in surgically staged (comprehensive, fertility-sparing surgery) and unstaged patients were 97.92%, 95.00%, and 96.30%, respectively. But, the overall tumor-free survival was significantly found to be decreased in cases of young age (<30 years old), performing fertility-sparing surgery and presence of micropapillary architecture or peritoneal implants. Overall survival rates of BOT in surgically staged (comprehensive, fertility-sparing surgery) and unstaged patients were 97.9%, and 100% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Low malignant potential ovarian tumors have excellent survival, and the patients can be treated safely by conservative surgery.     

Role of hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy in the management of early-stage borderline ovarian tumors

Objective

To examine survival of women with stage T1 borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) stratified by hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy status at surgery.

Ovarian stimulation and borderline ovarian tumors: a case-control study

Objective: To assess the risk of borderline ovarian cancer among infertile women treated with fertility drugs.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Nationwide data obtained from public registers and postal questionnaires.

Patient(s): All Danish women <60 years old with borderline ovarian cancer during the period 1989–1994 and randomly selected population controls. The analysis included 231 cases and 1,721 controls.

Intervention(s): None.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Influence of parity, infertility, and fertility drugs on the risk of borderline ovarian cancer after multivariate confounder control.

Result(s): The odds ratio (OR) for borderline ovarian cancer among infertile untreated nulliparous women compared with fertile nulliparous women was 1.9. The OR for borderline ovarian cancer among treated nulliparous women compared with untreated infertile nulliparous women was 1.5, and the OR among treated parous women compared with untreated infertile parous women was 1.5.

Conclusion(s): Among fertile women, the difference in the risk of borderline ovarian cancer between nulliparous women and parous women was not statistically significant. Nulliparous women who were infertile and who did not receive medical treatment had a twofold higher risk of borderline ovarian cancer than fertile nulliparous women. There was no statistically significant increase in the risk of borderline ovarian cancer among nulliparous women who were treated with fertility drugs compared with nulliparous untreated infertile women or among parous women who were treated with fertility drugs compared with parous untreated infertile women.     

卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤临床分析

目的分析卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤的临床特点、治疗及预后情况,并探讨影响卵巢交界性肿瘤复发及预后的相关因素。方法回顾性分析1980年1月至2009年8月间在北京大学人民医院诊断的卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤130例,所有患者均经手术治疗及术后病理证实。且经正规肿瘤术后随访12～240个月。结果平均发病年龄为42.3岁;Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期分别为106、6、18例;浆液性、黏液性和其他病理类型各48、63、19例;49.0%(51/104)的患者CA125升高;1%有微乳头浸润,0.05%有浸润性种植;所有患者均进行手术治疗,其中42.3%保留生育功能。复发率为6%(8例),其中18例行卵巢肿物剥除术2例复发,34例单侧或双侧附件切除术未见复发。肿瘤分期手术与一侧附件切除及单纯肿物剥除术的5年及10年存活率分别为100%、100%、95%。结论卵巢交界性肿瘤发病年龄较轻,Ⅰ期为主,黏液性肿瘤多见,预后良好,手术是主要的治疗手段,对早期患者行保留生育功能的手术是安全有效的,术后需长期随访。FIGO分期、微乳头型病变,浸润性种植及初次术后是否残留是影响复发及预后的相关因素。     

Results of the national survey of borderline ovarian tumors in Spain

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective multi-center analysis of women diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumor and treated between January 1990 and December 1997. A national survey was conducted, in which 457 patients from 27 centers corresponding to ten of Spain's autonomous communities were analyzed. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-seven women with borderline ovarian tumor were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 45.5+/-16.9 years. Of these, 390 patients (85.3%) were at stage I, 8 (1.8%) were at stage II and 36 (7.9%) at stage III. A bilateral tumor was observed in 63 women (13.8%). The mean tumor size was 14.2 cm and in 88 cases (19.3%) the tumor was on the surface of the ovary. Microinvasion was observed in 25 (5.5%) cases, and 29 women (6.3%) showed a micropapillary pattern. Study of the factors related to the appearance of peritoneal implants revealed positive tumor markers (OR 15.02: 1.9-32.9) and a tumor on the ovarian surface (OR 8.0: 1.8-127) to be independent risk factors. With respect to recurrence, the presence of peritoneal implants at the time of initial surgery (OR 3.4: 1.1-10.4) and signs of microinvasion in the anatomicopathological study (OR 5.5: 1.5-17.8) were found to be independent risk factors. The overall survival rate in our series was 97% with a mean follow-up of 88.3 months. The survival rate by stage was 97% for stage I, 100% for stage II and 97% for stage III. CONCLUSIONS: Although borderline ovarian tumors have an excellent prognosis, they are not exempt from a risk of recurrence. Characterization of patients with borderline ovarian tumor is essential in order to prevent their evolution. Likewise, the taking on board of risk factors will enable more selective treatments to be offered in each case.     

卵巢交界性肿瘤47例临床分析

目的探讨卵巢交界性肿瘤的临床特点、治疗方法及影响复发的临床病理因素。方法回顾性分析北京大学人民医院2004年8月至2009年6月收治的47例卵巢交界性肿瘤患者的临床资料。结果Ⅰ期卵巢交界性肿瘤患者39例(82.98%),Ⅱ期3例(6.38%),Ⅲ期5例(10.64%);术前彩超提示卵巢囊肿内有乳头状或实性区结构;伴血流信号者41例(87.23%),其中低血流阻力者13例(31.71%);CA125增高者25例(55.56%),CA199增高者10例(26.32%)。患者均行手术治疗,术中冰冻与石蜡病理的符合率为78.71%。术后化疗15例(31.91%)。24例行保守手术者复发4例,复发率16.67%,23例行根治性手术者复发2例,复发率8.69%,平均复发时间为20.83个月(7个月～3年),2例死亡。结论有复发高危因素的卵巢交界性肿瘤患者应进行化疗,以改善患者的预后。     

Fertility-sparing surgery and outcome in fertile women with ovarian borderline tumors and epithelial invasive ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the outcome of fertility-sparing treatment in ovarian borderline tumors and early invasive ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All women diagnosed with an ovarian borderline tumor or early invasive ovarian cancer who were treated with fertility-sparing surgery at the University Hospital in Lund between 1988 and 2002 were identified and included in the study (n=23). RESULTS: During the follow-up period of a median 92 months, range 11-185 months, no relapse was found in the patients with Stage 1a tumors, including both borderline tumors (n=12) and invasive well-differentiated (n=9) and moderately differentiated (n=1) ovarian cancers. One patient with poorly differentiated ovarian cancer Stage 1c was 13 weeks' pregnant at the time of the primary operation. Although, unilateral oophorectomy was performed she insisted on continuing the pregnancy. At 37 weeks she had a cesarean section and the ovarian cancer was disseminated. Chemotherapy was given but she died less than a year later. None of the other patients received chemotherapy. In total, 30 children were born to 15 patients. Prophylactic removal of the remaining ovary+/-hysterectomy was accepted in only in six of the women after fulfilling their desire to have more children. CONCLUSIONS: Young women with Stage 1a epithelial ovarian cancer and borderline tumors do not have to give up their fertility in order to receive successful and safe treatment of their disease. However, several of these patients do not accept the recommendation of prophylactic oophorectomy of the contralateral ovary and hysterectomy after completion of childbearing.     

Assisted reproduction in patients with early-stage ovarian malignancies

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of women with early-stage ovarian malignancies who subsequently underwent assisted reproductive technologies (ART). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Academic assisted reproductive technology program. PATIENT(S): Four infertile women who were previously diagnosed with early-stage ovarian malignancies. INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovulation hyperstimulation, IVF, and/or gamete intrafallopian transfer treatments using clomiphene citrate and/or gonadotropins. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Development of tumor recurrence and disease-free interval. RESULT(S): All four women remain free of disease for up to 15 years after treatment. Three of the four women achieved pregnancy. CONCLUSION(S): In patients with early-stage ovarian malignancies, conservative therapy followed by ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction is an acceptable strategy.     

Screening and detection of ovarian cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Most often the disease is advanced before symptoms are evident. It is estimated that only 15% to 30% of women in advanced stages will survive 5 years, whereas, of women in stage I at the time of diagnosis, 95% are likely to be alive in 5 years, and most are cured following surgery. Current screening techniques recommended for women with known strong risk factors include combination transvaginal sonography with cancer antigen (CA-125). Transvaginal sonography and serum CA-125 have limited diagnostic predictability. A new early detection method that uses proteomic technology will soon be available. The OvaCheck test, as researchers purport, is a highly specific and sensitive early detection method for ovarian cancer in women with strong risk factors. The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve nationwide marketing of OvaCheck for early detection, because trials are not yet complete. Anticipated commercial availability is scheduled for early 2005.