Gynecologic oncology
-
Gynecologic oncology · Nov 2011
Morbidity, mortality and overall survival in elderly women undergoing primary surgical debulking for ovarian cancer: a delicate balance requiring individualization.
To assess outcomes and identify underlying predictors of outcomes in a cohort of women over the age of 65 treated for primary ovarian cancer (OC). ⋯ Age is an independent predictor of OS in OC. A significant number of elderly women are able to undergo a complete cytoreduction and experience OS similar to that of younger patients. However, the benefits to incomplete cytoreduction are less clear in women ≥ 75. These observations highlight the need to use emerging predictors of outcomes in decision making and to focus care in centers able to render patients with no visible residual disease.
-
Gynecologic oncology · Nov 2011
The effect of sleep disturbance on quality of life in women with ovarian cancer.
To estimate the prevalence of sleep disturbances, and to determine if there is an association between sleep disturbances with quality of life (QOL), depression or clinical demographic variables. ⋯ Sleep disturbances reduce QOL, a prognostic indicator for survival, in ovarian cancer patients. These patients should undergo routine screening and would benefit from interventions that aim to promote restful sleep.
-
Gynecologic oncology · Oct 2011
Plasma microparticles are not elevated in fresh plasma from patients with gynaecological malignancy--an observational study.
Gynaecological cancer is common. It is highly amenable to effective treatment, but thrombosis remains a common complication. There is controversy about whether microparticles (MPs), particularly tissue factor (TF) positive MPs, are increased in patients with malignancy and/or thrombosis. We therefore set out to investigate the relationship between MPs of different cellular origins, in patients with gynaecological malignancy. We hypothesised that patients with gynaecological malignancy have increased numbers of MPs. We measured MPs released by different cell types in these patients, and correlated the results with measures of haemostatic activation. ⋯ Using fresh samples, MPs were not significantly increased in patients with gynaecological malignancy. There was, however, evidence of haemostatic activation in the patients with malignancy, but no correlation between the number of MPs and haemostatic activation.
-
Gynecologic oncology · Oct 2011
Incidence of mechanical malfunction in low-profile subcutaneous implantable venous access devices in patients receiving chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of mechanical complications associated with low-profile subcutaneous implantable venous access devices in gynecologic oncology patients. ⋯ The rates of catheter fracture and embolization have previously been reported to be low in patients with subcutaneous Port-a-Caths, and have not been studied in patients receiving low-profile subcutaneous Port-a-Caths. This study suggests that catheter fracture may be more common (8.7%) and must be considered in patients with malfunctioning low-profile Port-a-Caths. Embolized catheters can be removed by interventional radiology without significant adverse affects.
-
Gynecologic oncology · Oct 2011
Accuracy of diffusion-weighted echo-planar MR imaging and ADC mapping in the evaluation of residual cervical carcinoma after radiation therapy.
The impact of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of MR imaging on the evaluation of residual Uterine Cervical Carcinoma after Radiation Therapy, in addition to conventional MR images. ⋯ Although our results were not statistically significant, ADC values could potentially be used to predict and monitor the response of uterine cervical cancer.