Neoplasm staging Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
, , , , , Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2021;43(2):137-144
, , , , , The present study aims to evaluate the profile of endometrial carcinomas and uterine sarcomas attended in a Brazilian cancer center in the period from 2001 to 2016 and to analyze the impact of time elapsed fromsymptoms to diagnoses or treatment in cancer stage and survival.
This observational study with 1,190 cases evaluated the year of diagnosis, age-group, cancer stage and histological type. A subgroup of 185 women with endometrioid histology attended in the period from 2012 to 2017 was selected to assess information about initial symptoms, diagnosticmethods, overall survival, and to evaluate the influence of the time elapsed from symptoms to diagnosis and treatment on staging and survival. The statistics used were descriptive, trend test, and the Kaplan- Meier method, with p-values < 0.05 for significance.
A total of 1,068 (89.7%) carcinomas (77.2% endometrioid and 22.8% nonendometrioid) and 122 (10.3%) sarcomas were analyzed, with an increasing trend in the period (p < 0.05). Histologies of non-endometrioid carcinomas, G3 endometrioid, and carcinosarcomas constituted 30% of the cases. Non-endometrioid carcinomas and sarcomas weremore frequently diagnosed in patients over 70 years of age and those on stage IV (p < 0.05). The endometrioid subgroup with 185 women reported 92% of abnormal uterine bleeding and 43% diagnosis after curettage. The average time elapsed between symptoms to diagnosis was 244 days, and between symptoms to treatment was 376 days, all without association with staging (p = 0.976) and survival (p = 0.160). Only 12% of the patients started treatment up to 60 days after diagnosis.
The number of uterine carcinoma and sarcoma cases increased over the period of 2001 to 2016. Aggressive histology comprised 30% of the patients and, for endometrioid carcinomas, the time elapsed between symptoms and diagnosis or treatment was long, although without association with staging or survival.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2021;43(2):137-144
, , , , , The present study aims to evaluate the profile of endometrial carcinomas and uterine sarcomas attended in a Brazilian cancer center in the period from 2001 to 2016 and to analyze the impact of time elapsed fromsymptoms to diagnoses or treatment in cancer stage and survival.
This observational study with 1,190 cases evaluated the year of diagnosis, age-group, cancer stage and histological type. A subgroup of 185 women with endometrioid histology attended in the period from 2012 to 2017 was selected to assess information about initial symptoms, diagnosticmethods, overall survival, and to evaluate the influence of the time elapsed from symptoms to diagnosis and treatment on staging and survival. The statistics used were descriptive, trend test, and the Kaplan- Meier method, with p-values < 0.05 for significance.
A total of 1,068 (89.7%) carcinomas (77.2% endometrioid and 22.8% nonendometrioid) and 122 (10.3%) sarcomas were analyzed, with an increasing trend in the period (p < 0.05). Histologies of non-endometrioid carcinomas, G3 endometrioid, and carcinosarcomas constituted 30% of the cases. Non-endometrioid carcinomas and sarcomas weremore frequently diagnosed in patients over 70 years of age and those on stage IV (p < 0.05). The endometrioid subgroup with 185 women reported 92% of abnormal uterine bleeding and 43% diagnosis after curettage. The average time elapsed between symptoms to diagnosis was 244 days, and between symptoms to treatment was 376 days, all without association with staging (p = 0.976) and survival (p = 0.160). Only 12% of the patients started treatment up to 60 days after diagnosis.
The number of uterine carcinoma and sarcoma cases increased over the period of 2001 to 2016. Aggressive histology comprised 30% of the patients and, for endometrioid carcinomas, the time elapsed between symptoms and diagnosis or treatment was long, although without association with staging or survival.
, Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2019;41(5):306-311
, To compare laparoscopy with laparotomy for surgical staging of endometrial cancer.
A cohort of women with preoperative diagnosis of endometrial cancer who underwent surgical staging was retrospectively evaluated. The main study end points were: morbidity and mortality, hospital length of stay, perioperative adverse events and recurrence rate. Data analysis was performed with the software SPSS v25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), categorical variables using a Chi-square and Fisher test, and continuous variables using the Student t-test.
Atotal of 162 patientswere analyzed. 138 patientsmet the inclusion criteria, 41of whom underwent staging by laparoscopy and 97 by laparotomy. Conversions from laparoscopy to laparotomy happened in 2 patients (4.9%) and were secondary to technical difficulties and poor exposure. Laparoscopy had fewer postoperative adverse events when compared with laparotomy (7.3% vs 23.7%, respectively; p = 0.005), but similar rates of intraoperative complications, despite having a significantly longer operative time (median, 175 vs 130 minutes, respectively; p < 0.001). Hospital stay was significantly lower in laparoscopy versus laparotomy patients (median, 3 vs 7 days, respectively; p < 0.001). No difference in recurrence or mortality rates were observed.
Laparoscopic surgical staging for endometrial cancer is feasible and safe. Patients have lower postoperative complication rates and shorter hospital stays when compared with the approach by laparotomy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2019;41(5):306-311
, To compare laparoscopy with laparotomy for surgical staging of endometrial cancer.
A cohort of women with preoperative diagnosis of endometrial cancer who underwent surgical staging was retrospectively evaluated. The main study end points were: morbidity and mortality, hospital length of stay, perioperative adverse events and recurrence rate. Data analysis was performed with the software SPSS v25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), categorical variables using a Chi-square and Fisher test, and continuous variables using the Student t-test.
Atotal of 162 patientswere analyzed. 138 patientsmet the inclusion criteria, 41of whom underwent staging by laparoscopy and 97 by laparotomy. Conversions from laparoscopy to laparotomy happened in 2 patients (4.9%) and were secondary to technical difficulties and poor exposure. Laparoscopy had fewer postoperative adverse events when compared with laparotomy (7.3% vs 23.7%, respectively; p = 0.005), but similar rates of intraoperative complications, despite having a significantly longer operative time (median, 175 vs 130 minutes, respectively; p < 0.001). Hospital stay was significantly lower in laparoscopy versus laparotomy patients (median, 3 vs 7 days, respectively; p < 0.001). No difference in recurrence or mortality rates were observed.
Laparoscopic surgical staging for endometrial cancer is feasible and safe. Patients have lower postoperative complication rates and shorter hospital stays when compared with the approach by laparotomy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2018;40(7):403-409
Metastases are rare in early breast cancer (EBC), and international guidelines recommend against routine systemic staging for asymptomatic patients. However, imaging exams remain widely employed in the clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the value of imaging for systemic staging in EBC.
A retrospective analysis of newly-diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients was performed. Clinical data including BC subtype, stage, presence of symptoms at diagnosis and instrumental procedures performed for staging were recorded.
A total of 753 patients were included, with a median age of 57 years. The majority of the patients underwent at least 1 imaging procedure (91%); had invasive ductal carcinoma (83.5%); histological grade 2 (51.4%); stage II (61.8%); and luminal subtype (67.9%). Among the 685 (91%) patients who underwent any radiologic staging, distant metastases (DMs) were detected in 32 (4.7%). In the univariate analyses, stage IIb and pathological lymph node involvement (pN1) showed a statistically significant association with the presence of DMs, versus only a trend for triple negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) positive subtype. In an exploratory analysis performed in this same subgroup, when unfavorable biology (triple negative or Her2 positive) was present, patients had a DM rate of 14.4%, one of the highest reported at this stage of the disease.
Early breast cancer has a low prevalence of DM at the initial evaluation, and systemic staging of asymptomatic, unselected patients is not warranted as a routine practice. However, we have identified subgroups of patients to whom a full staging could be indicated.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2018;40(7):403-409
Metastases are rare in early breast cancer (EBC), and international guidelines recommend against routine systemic staging for asymptomatic patients. However, imaging exams remain widely employed in the clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the value of imaging for systemic staging in EBC.
A retrospective analysis of newly-diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients was performed. Clinical data including BC subtype, stage, presence of symptoms at diagnosis and instrumental procedures performed for staging were recorded.
A total of 753 patients were included, with a median age of 57 years. The majority of the patients underwent at least 1 imaging procedure (91%); had invasive ductal carcinoma (83.5%); histological grade 2 (51.4%); stage II (61.8%); and luminal subtype (67.9%). Among the 685 (91%) patients who underwent any radiologic staging, distant metastases (DMs) were detected in 32 (4.7%). In the univariate analyses, stage IIb and pathological lymph node involvement (pN1) showed a statistically significant association with the presence of DMs, versus only a trend for triple negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) positive subtype. In an exploratory analysis performed in this same subgroup, when unfavorable biology (triple negative or Her2 positive) was present, patients had a DM rate of 14.4%, one of the highest reported at this stage of the disease.
Early breast cancer has a low prevalence of DM at the initial evaluation, and systemic staging of asymptomatic, unselected patients is not warranted as a routine practice. However, we have identified subgroups of patients to whom a full staging could be indicated.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(6):237-243
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320140005010
To assess the determinants of late stage in women with cervical cancer in Brazil.
A cross-sectional study of secondary basis. Women with invasive cervical cancer enrolled in the Cancer Hospital Registry between January 2000 and December 2009 were included. Late clinical stage (≥IIB) was the outcome considered. The following variables were studied: age at diagnosis, race or ethnicity, years of education, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, place of residence, year of diagnosis, initial treatment received, and status after the first treatment. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and a logistic regression model were used. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
37,638 cases were included, with a mean age of 52.4±14.1 years. Late clinical stages were observed in 70.6% of cases and were associated with the presence of squamous cell carcinoma (OR=1.8; 95%CI 1.7-2.0), age ≥50 years (OR=1.5; 95%CI 1.4-1.6), living with a partner (OR=1.3; 95%CI 1.2-1.4), black skin color (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.4), and low educational level (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.3).
In Brazil, the diagnosis of cervical cancer is a delayed event. Although the main factor associated with late stage of cervical cancer identified in this study is a biological factors (histological type) and, consequently, not eligible for intervention, it was confirmed that socioeconomic disparities in the country are associated with late stage disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(6):237-243
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320140005010
To assess the determinants of late stage in women with cervical cancer in Brazil.
A cross-sectional study of secondary basis. Women with invasive cervical cancer enrolled in the Cancer Hospital Registry between January 2000 and December 2009 were included. Late clinical stage (≥IIB) was the outcome considered. The following variables were studied: age at diagnosis, race or ethnicity, years of education, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, place of residence, year of diagnosis, initial treatment received, and status after the first treatment. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and a logistic regression model were used. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
37,638 cases were included, with a mean age of 52.4±14.1 years. Late clinical stages were observed in 70.6% of cases and were associated with the presence of squamous cell carcinoma (OR=1.8; 95%CI 1.7-2.0), age ≥50 years (OR=1.5; 95%CI 1.4-1.6), living with a partner (OR=1.3; 95%CI 1.2-1.4), black skin color (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.4), and low educational level (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.3).
In Brazil, the diagnosis of cervical cancer is a delayed event. Although the main factor associated with late stage of cervical cancer identified in this study is a biological factors (histological type) and, consequently, not eligible for intervention, it was confirmed that socioeconomic disparities in the country are associated with late stage disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2009;31(9):468-473
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000900008
The uterine cervix invasive carcinoma represents a major public health problem, mainly in the developing countries. Its treatment, based on radical hysterectomy, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy presents a considerable morbidity. Prognostic markers should be taken into consideration in the therapeutic planning, so that the results would be optimized, complications reduced, and patients' survival prolonged. Accepted prognostic markers are: stage, tumoral size, histological type, degree of differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, depth of the stromal invasion, presence of lymph nodal metastases, and surgical margins involvement. This study aims at making a literature review concerning the use of theses markers in the therapeutic planning of women with uterine cervix invasive carcinoma. The treatment based on these markers may present better results, with lower ratio of complications and an improvement in the patients' survival.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2009;31(9):468-473
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000900008
The uterine cervix invasive carcinoma represents a major public health problem, mainly in the developing countries. Its treatment, based on radical hysterectomy, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy presents a considerable morbidity. Prognostic markers should be taken into consideration in the therapeutic planning, so that the results would be optimized, complications reduced, and patients' survival prolonged. Accepted prognostic markers are: stage, tumoral size, histological type, degree of differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, depth of the stromal invasion, presence of lymph nodal metastases, and surgical margins involvement. This study aims at making a literature review concerning the use of theses markers in the therapeutic planning of women with uterine cervix invasive carcinoma. The treatment based on these markers may present better results, with lower ratio of complications and an improvement in the patients' survival.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2009;31(5):219-223
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000500003
PURPOSE: To analyze the temporal changes of breast cancer staging at diagnosis among women living in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, between 1989 and 2003. METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study in which the cases were identified from the Population-Based Cancer Registry of Goiânia for the period from 1989 to 2003. The variables studied were age, diagnostic method, topographic sublocation, morphology and breast cancer staging. Frequency analyses were carried out on the variables and means, and the medians for the age were determined. The SPSS® 15.0 software was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 3,204 breast cancer cases were collected. The mean age was 56 years (sd±16 years). With regard to clinical staging, 45.6% of the cases were found to be localized in the breast, with an increased rate of 19.25% between the first and the third five-year period (p<0.001; CI 95%=0.14-0.23) and 10.2% of cases were with distant metastases. However, a reduction of 17.74% for metastatic cases in the same interval (p<0.001 e CI 95%=0.14-21) was observed. The in situ case rate was 0.2% in 1989-1993 and increased to 6.2% in 1999-2003 (p<0.001, IC95%=4.9-7.4). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic profile of breast cancer in the city of Goiânia is changing. Substantial increases in the number of early breast cancer cases are being found in relation to the number of advanced cases.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2009;31(5):219-223
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032009000500003
PURPOSE: To analyze the temporal changes of breast cancer staging at diagnosis among women living in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, between 1989 and 2003. METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study in which the cases were identified from the Population-Based Cancer Registry of Goiânia for the period from 1989 to 2003. The variables studied were age, diagnostic method, topographic sublocation, morphology and breast cancer staging. Frequency analyses were carried out on the variables and means, and the medians for the age were determined. The SPSS® 15.0 software was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 3,204 breast cancer cases were collected. The mean age was 56 years (sd±16 years). With regard to clinical staging, 45.6% of the cases were found to be localized in the breast, with an increased rate of 19.25% between the first and the third five-year period (p<0.001; CI 95%=0.14-0.23) and 10.2% of cases were with distant metastases. However, a reduction of 17.74% for metastatic cases in the same interval (p<0.001 e CI 95%=0.14-21) was observed. The in situ case rate was 0.2% in 1989-1993 and increased to 6.2% in 1999-2003 (p<0.001, IC95%=4.9-7.4). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic profile of breast cancer in the city of Goiânia is changing. Substantial increases in the number of early breast cancer cases are being found in relation to the number of advanced cases.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(12):744-749
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001200007
PURPOSE: to assess to what extent the surgical staging differs from the clinical staging among cases of advanced uterine cervix carcinoma, and also to assess the percentage of cases with positive para-aortic ganglia in this group of patients. METHODS: this is a descriptive prospective study in which 36 patients with histological diagnosis of uterine cervix carcinoma considered locally advanced were included (stages IB2, IIB, IIIA and B, and IVA). The cases were submitted to clinical staging, according to FIGO criteria. All patients were to be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Age ranged from 40 to 73 years, with a mean of 56.2±7.9. The procedure started with pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by para-aortic lymphadenectomy, in case the pelvic lymph nodes were positive on surgical examination. Examination of the abdominal cavity and lymphadenectomy were done either through laparotomy or laparoscopy, chosen at random. In each case, the clinical staging was compared to the surgical staging, considered the gold standard. RESULTS: in the clinical staging (CS), 7 cases were classified as IB2 (tumors larger than 4 cm), 22 cases as CSII and 7 cases as CSIII. The surgical assessment changed the clinical staging as follows: the stage was decreased in six cases, and increased in 13. There was agreement only in 18 cases (50%). The para-aortic lymph nodes were affected in six cases. CONCLUSIONS: clinical staging of locally advanced uterine cervix carcinoma is incorrect in most of the cases. Such inconsistency may lead to excessive treatment in some cases, but about one fourth of the patients with positive para-aortic ganglia would not be adequately treated with the current standard treatment radiotherapy with chemosensitization, which aims at the local regional control of the pelvic disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(12):744-749
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001200007
PURPOSE: to assess to what extent the surgical staging differs from the clinical staging among cases of advanced uterine cervix carcinoma, and also to assess the percentage of cases with positive para-aortic ganglia in this group of patients. METHODS: this is a descriptive prospective study in which 36 patients with histological diagnosis of uterine cervix carcinoma considered locally advanced were included (stages IB2, IIB, IIIA and B, and IVA). The cases were submitted to clinical staging, according to FIGO criteria. All patients were to be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Age ranged from 40 to 73 years, with a mean of 56.2±7.9. The procedure started with pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by para-aortic lymphadenectomy, in case the pelvic lymph nodes were positive on surgical examination. Examination of the abdominal cavity and lymphadenectomy were done either through laparotomy or laparoscopy, chosen at random. In each case, the clinical staging was compared to the surgical staging, considered the gold standard. RESULTS: in the clinical staging (CS), 7 cases were classified as IB2 (tumors larger than 4 cm), 22 cases as CSII and 7 cases as CSIII. The surgical assessment changed the clinical staging as follows: the stage was decreased in six cases, and increased in 13. There was agreement only in 18 cases (50%). The para-aortic lymph nodes were affected in six cases. CONCLUSIONS: clinical staging of locally advanced uterine cervix carcinoma is incorrect in most of the cases. Such inconsistency may lead to excessive treatment in some cases, but about one fourth of the patients with positive para-aortic ganglia would not be adequately treated with the current standard treatment radiotherapy with chemosensitization, which aims at the local regional control of the pelvic disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(11):656-660
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001100004
PURPOSE: to analyze time trends in the clinical staging at the moment of diagnosis in patients with breast and cervix cancer based on data produced by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). METHODS: in the first part of this study we identified the published documents describing clinical staging of patients at the moment of diagnosis. Considering their scarcity and poor representativity we conducted the second part of this study through an active search for information. A form was sent via regular mail to all cancer centers in the country (n=173) requesting information about the tumor site and stage at diagnosis by year, in the period of 1995-2002. The statistical analysis was performed using the "R" statistical package. The results are reported as percentage and boxplots. RESULTS: in the first part of the study (1990-1994) we described data from 18 hospitals concerning 7,458 patients with breast cancer and 7,216 patients with cervix cancer. The median of the percentage of cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage (stages III or IV) was 52.6 and 56.8%, respectively. In the second part of the study (1995-2002) data were collected from 89 cancer hospitals and 7 chemotherapy or radiotherapy clinics. There was a total of 43,442 cases of breast cancer and 29,263 of cervix cancer. The response rate based on the potential contact list was 55%. The median percentage of patients in advanced stage was 45.3% for breast cancer and 42.5% for cervix cancer. CONCLUSIONS: few studies have examined the time trends in staging of cancer at diagnosis in Brazilian hospitals. Data obtained from Hospital Cancer Registries showed that in the last decade there was a reduction in the percentage of cervix and breast cancer at the advanced stage. This reduction can be due to an improvement in early detection of these cancers.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(11):656-660
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001100004
PURPOSE: to analyze time trends in the clinical staging at the moment of diagnosis in patients with breast and cervix cancer based on data produced by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). METHODS: in the first part of this study we identified the published documents describing clinical staging of patients at the moment of diagnosis. Considering their scarcity and poor representativity we conducted the second part of this study through an active search for information. A form was sent via regular mail to all cancer centers in the country (n=173) requesting information about the tumor site and stage at diagnosis by year, in the period of 1995-2002. The statistical analysis was performed using the "R" statistical package. The results are reported as percentage and boxplots. RESULTS: in the first part of the study (1990-1994) we described data from 18 hospitals concerning 7,458 patients with breast cancer and 7,216 patients with cervix cancer. The median of the percentage of cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage (stages III or IV) was 52.6 and 56.8%, respectively. In the second part of the study (1995-2002) data were collected from 89 cancer hospitals and 7 chemotherapy or radiotherapy clinics. There was a total of 43,442 cases of breast cancer and 29,263 of cervix cancer. The response rate based on the potential contact list was 55%. The median percentage of patients in advanced stage was 45.3% for breast cancer and 42.5% for cervix cancer. CONCLUSIONS: few studies have examined the time trends in staging of cancer at diagnosis in Brazilian hospitals. Data obtained from Hospital Cancer Registries showed that in the last decade there was a reduction in the percentage of cervix and breast cancer at the advanced stage. This reduction can be due to an improvement in early detection of these cancers.
