Gynecologic oncology
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Gynecologic oncology · Jun 1996
Review Case ReportsA case of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix presenting Cushing's syndrome.
A proportion of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is known to secrete a neuroendocrine substance. However, cases presenting Cushing's syndrome due to ACTH secreted from a cervical small cell carcinoma are extremely rare. Here, we report a case of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix that ectopically secreted ACTH and presented Cushing's syndrome. ⋯ Electronmicroscopic pictures showed typical neurosecretory granules. Although plasma ACTH returned to normal after surgery, liver metastasis appeared during the course of postoperative irradiation. She died 9 months after operation in spite of vigorous systemic chemotherapy.
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 1996
ReviewEstrogen and progesterone receptor status as prognostic indicators in patients with optimally cytoreduced stage IIIc serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.
Steroid receptor status as a prognostic indicator in gynecologic malignancies has been a focus of study for almost 20 years. Although shown to be of importance in assessing prognosis in some patients with endometrial cancer, their importance in assessing prognosis in patients with serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary is not established. ⋯ In patients with optimally cytoreduced stage IIIc serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary, an estrogen receptor level of less than or equal to 10 fmol/mg cytosol protein may be indicative of a better prognosis. Progesterone receptor status does not appear to affect survival.
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Gynecologic oncology · Dec 1994
ReviewChemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma: current standards of care based on randomized trials.
The mainstay of the treatment of advanced (stage III or IV) ovarian carcinoma is systemic therapy. The following review bases conclusions regarding standards of care on large, randomized trials of chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma. As of 1976, "standard" chemotherapy was single alkylating agent usually with melphalan. ⋯ These data suggest that a combination of taxol plus cisplatin should be considered the standard of care for patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. Ongoing trials seek to define further the role of taxol in frontline chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma. In conclusion, the standard chemotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma should be considered a combination of taxol plus a platinum compound.
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Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly chemosensitive solid tumor with response rates of 70-80% to first-line chemotherapy, including a high proportion of complete responses. The majority of patients, however, eventually relapse and ultimately die of chemoresistant disease. Response rates to salvage agents are modest, and duration of response is relatively short. ⋯ Therapies focusing on novel molecular targets include antiangiogenesis agents, antimetastatic agents, and signal transduction inhibitors. Immunotherapy, including radioimmunotherapy, immunotoxins, and direct antitumor effects of monoclonal antibodies, may be useful. Greater understanding of the molecular pathology of ovarian cancer may help us develop more rational and effective treatment.