Gynecologic oncology
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Gynecologic oncology · Oct 2004
Expression of imatinib mesylate-targeted kinases in endometrial carcinoma.
Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets c-Kit, Abl, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). It has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). These cancers are characterized by activating mutations of the Abl and c-Kit tyrosine kinases, respectively. To determine whether imatinib mesylate could be a potentially useful agent in the treatment of endometrial cancer, we assessed the expressions of Abl, c-Kit, and PDGFR in both primary and recurrent endometrial carcinoma. ⋯ The majority of primary and recurrent EEC, as well as primary and recurrent UPSC express Abl and PDGFR. This preclinical data suggest that imatinib mesylate may be useful in the treatment of patients with endometrial carcinoma.
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Gynecologic oncology · Sep 2004
Clinical TrialPilot study of outpatient paclitaxel, carboplatin and gemcitabine for advanced stage epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, and fallopian tube cancer.
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, response rate, and toxicity of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and gemcitabine as an outpatient regimen in the treatment of ovarian/non-ovarian and tubal adenocarcinoma. This is the largest completed study using this regimen as first-line treatment of these patients. ⋯ This report represents the largest completed study in the world employing this triplet regimen in the first-line treatment of advanced stage epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer patients. Although the study exhibited a high response rate, the neuropathy encountered in the study, and the need to eliminate gemcitabine in 54% of the patients due to bone marrow suppression merits further investigation of the dosing schedule. More recent gemcitabine data suggest that lower doses and a 2-week regimen may be as effective with less toxicity. A comparison of our results with the GOG-0182 study, that utilizes the same regimen, should be informative.
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Gynecologic oncology · Aug 2004
ReviewEndometrial pathologies associated with postmenopausal tamoxifen treatment.
To evaluate various endometrial pathologies described in association with postmenopausal tamoxifen treatment, as well as the clinical aspects of these endometrial pathologies. ⋯ The clinician should be alerted to these pathologies, which, in some cases, may potentially increase the mortality of these patients. Consequently, it is suggested that their supervision is of importance, especially if the patients experience any gynecological symptoms, including pelvic pain or pressure.
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Gynecologic oncology · Aug 2004
The benefit of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery before planned abdominal exploration in patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions.
To analyze the findings and impact on the management of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) before planned abdominal exploration in patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions. ⋯ Fifty percent of patients with suspected advanced ovarian cancer and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent VATS had solid pleural-based tumor identified, and in 33% of cases the tumor nodules were >1 cm in diameter. VATS should be considered in these cases to delineate the extent of disease, treat the effusion, and to potentially select patients for either intrathoracic cytoreduction or a neoadjuvant chemotherapy approach.
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Gynecologic oncology · Aug 2004
High-dose rate brachytherapy for Stage I/II papillary serous or clear cell endometrial cancer.
To determine the efficacy of high-dose rate brachytherapy as adjuvant treatment for Stage I/II papillary serous or clear cell endometrial cancer. ⋯ High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) as the sole adjuvant treatment of Stage I/II papillary serous or clear cell carcinoma is associated with a 13% risk of recurrence. Although local control with HDR is excellent, the risk of distant recurrence is increased with deep myometrial invasion. High-dose rate brachytherapy is adequate for Stage IA cases, but more aggressive treatment combining chemotherapy with HDR should be evaluated for more advanced Stage I/II cases.