An ultrasonographic morphological index for prediction of ovarian tumor malignancy

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: A newly created ultrasonographic scale called the Poznan index as well as scales already well known (introduced by Sassone, De Priest and Lerner) were compared in our group of patients. METHOD: A morphological index was based on seven sonographic ovarian tumor features. Examinations on 686 patients were evaluated. Comparison of prognostic values of the Poznan index with other applied morphological indices in our group of patients was based on the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The cut-off level of the new index is 8 points. The new morphological index has a specificity of 77.0%, and negative and positive predictive values of 90.7% and 69.1%, respectively. It has a sensitivity of 86.7% and accuracy of 80.6%. The Poznan index proved its usefulness and superiority (AU ROC = 0.89). CONCLUSION: Using this morphological index it is possible to make a precise prognosis of ovarian tumor malignancy. It also makes it possible to make the right decision concerning the manner of surgical treatment.     

Function of the lower urinary tract in patients after treatment of cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES: Irritation of lower urinary tract--bladder and urethra--is seen as a common risk factor for radiotherapy treatment. Is it possible to reduce miction disorders and urinary incontinence? DESIGN: Functional assessment of the lower urinary tract in women treated with surgery and radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors evaluated 25 patients diagnosed with uterus neck cancer treated with surgery or radiotherapy during 1998-2001. Urodynamic assessment was based on uroflowmetry, residual urine volume measurement and cystometry results. RESULTS: Lower urinary tract ailments were present in all 25 patients, in 2 of them they were only temporary--during recovery after surgery. During miction symptoms were reported by 23 patients, 20 patients reported symptoms between mictions. During and after treatment all patients reported the increase in symptoms and changes of urodynamics parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Function of the lower urinary tract are disturbed whilst radiotherapy treatment of uterus neck cancer. Functional diagnostics is important in oncological treatment design and should be evaluated separately for each patients.     

Frequency of HPV infection of the uterine cervix among perimenopausal women in Wielkopolska Region

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the main causes of cervical neoplasia. There is now consistent evidence that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has a causal role in the etiology of cervical cancer and that sexual habits and reproductive/hormonal factors are associated with the risk of invasive cervical cancer. In our investigation we estimated the frequency of HPV infection in uterine cervix in women gathered in perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened 90 women in western Poland to obtain cytological smears, and tested all smears for 33 types of HPV with a polymerase chain reaction-based system. All women were classified according to age into three groups. RESULTS: HPV infections peaked in the group of 45 to 49 year old (48.5% using universal starters) and decreased in 56 year or olders (26.1% using universal starters) with predominantly non-cancer-associated types of HPV and uncharacterized HPV types. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the decline of HPV infection with age. But note increased prevalence after menopause, which could be related to a second peak of HSILs, an observation that warrants further investigation. At least 80% of HPVs involved in cervical carcinogenesis in this population have been characterized. Polyvalent vaccines including the main cancer-associated HPV types may be able to prevent most cases of cervical disease in this region.     

Evaluation of sexual initiation circumstances in youth

The age of sexual initiation is connected with many factors such as: the age of biological maturity, temperament, personality, moral standards, family, culture and place of residence, religion, influence of partner. The aim of the study was evaluation of the age and circumstances of sexual initiation of youths. The material were voluntary and anonymous questionnaires. These questionnaires included multiple choice questions as well as fill in the blank questions. The questionnaires were given to high-school students. The ages of the 1374 questioned students were between 18 and 20. RESULTS: The age of sexual initiation was between 16 and 18 years of age. The most frequent place was bed at home (50.23 to 67.74%). CONCLUSIONS: The age of sexual initiation does not differ from other European countries. Circumstances of sexual initiation of Poles is similar to other countries.