Gynecologic oncology
-
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 · 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
It's not just for laparoscopy anymore: use of insufflation under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance by Interventional Radiologists for percutaneous placement of intraperitoneal chemotherapy catheters.
While intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy has shown significant survival benefits, the ability to successfully deliver IP chemotherapy has been limited. In GOG 172, surgically-placed IP catheters had a reported complication rate of 34%. In addition, IP catheters have to be placed surgically. We have developed a novel percutaneous placement technique for IP catheters in patients without ascites. ⋯ Thus far, our experience with percutaneous placement of IP catheters is associated with a low risk of catheter-related complications and high technical success rates. CO(2) insufflation may make peritoneal puncture easier and potentially safer. This procedure offers an alternative to surgical placement, even in patients without clinically significant ascites.