neoplasms Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
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Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2024;46:e-rbgo25
, , , , , , , Fertility preservation is a priority in oncology for female cancer patients. However, there is a lack of communication between infertility specialists and oncologists. This study aimed to evaluate infertility specialists’ perceptions and experiences regarding fertility preservation.
Conduct an online survey to profile infertility specialists. Participants were infertility affiliated with the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO). The specialists received an online survey, which response rate were 30.9%, most of whom were in southern and southeastern. The survey consisted on 14 questions about the infertility specialists’ location, techniques in clinical practice, treatment successful rate, patients idea, etc.
The average experience in human reproduction were 15.5 ± 10.2 years (mean ± standard deviation, range 1-40). Among reproductive-aged female cancer patients recommended for fertility preservation, 60.3 ± 28.8% (range 10-100%) underwent preservation procedures. Main barriers were cost (41%), oncologists’ knowledge or acceptance (35%) and accessibility (9%). Most infertility specialists (58%) considered 40 years the limit for fertility preservation. Leukemia, lymphoma, breast and ovarian cancers were prioritized for fertility preservation, while lung, thyroid, gastric, and brain cancers were less relevant.
This is the first Brazilian study about infertility specialists’ perceptions on oncology patients access to fertility preservation. These patients primarily receive treatment in the public health system, while infertility specialists mainly work in the private healthcare. This healthcare mode is currently fragmented, but integrating these experts is enhancing patient access to fertility preservation. Studies on this topic are still warranted.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2024;46:e-rbgo25
, , , , , , , Fertility preservation is a priority in oncology for female cancer patients. However, there is a lack of communication between infertility specialists and oncologists. This study aimed to evaluate infertility specialists’ perceptions and experiences regarding fertility preservation.
Conduct an online survey to profile infertility specialists. Participants were infertility affiliated with the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO). The specialists received an online survey, which response rate were 30.9%, most of whom were in southern and southeastern. The survey consisted on 14 questions about the infertility specialists’ location, techniques in clinical practice, treatment successful rate, patients idea, etc.
The average experience in human reproduction were 15.5 ± 10.2 years (mean ± standard deviation, range 1-40). Among reproductive-aged female cancer patients recommended for fertility preservation, 60.3 ± 28.8% (range 10-100%) underwent preservation procedures. Main barriers were cost (41%), oncologists’ knowledge or acceptance (35%) and accessibility (9%). Most infertility specialists (58%) considered 40 years the limit for fertility preservation. Leukemia, lymphoma, breast and ovarian cancers were prioritized for fertility preservation, while lung, thyroid, gastric, and brain cancers were less relevant.
This is the first Brazilian study about infertility specialists’ perceptions on oncology patients access to fertility preservation. These patients primarily receive treatment in the public health system, while infertility specialists mainly work in the private healthcare. This healthcare mode is currently fragmented, but integrating these experts is enhancing patient access to fertility preservation. Studies on this topic are still warranted.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2022;44(8):785-789
To assess the quality of recent meta-analyses reviewing the diagnostic utility of sentinel node biopsy in endometrial cancer.
With the MeSH terms endometrial neoplasms and sentinel lymph node biopsy, PubMed and Embase databases were searched on October 21, 2020, and again on November 10, 2021, with meta-analysis and publication date filters set to since 2015. The articles included were classified with the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) assessment tool.
The database searches found 17, 7 of which, after the screening, were selected for full review by the author, finally extracting six meta-analyzes for quality analysis. The rating with the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool found that overall confidence in their results was critically low.
This study found that the quality of recent meta-analyses on the utility of the staging of endometrial cancer with sentinel node biopsy, evaluated by the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool, is classified as critically low, and, therefore, these meta-analyses are not reliable in the summary of their studies.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2022;44(8):785-789
To assess the quality of recent meta-analyses reviewing the diagnostic utility of sentinel node biopsy in endometrial cancer.
With the MeSH terms endometrial neoplasms and sentinel lymph node biopsy, PubMed and Embase databases were searched on October 21, 2020, and again on November 10, 2021, with meta-analysis and publication date filters set to since 2015. The articles included were classified with the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) assessment tool.
The database searches found 17, 7 of which, after the screening, were selected for full review by the author, finally extracting six meta-analyzes for quality analysis. The rating with the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool found that overall confidence in their results was critically low.
This study found that the quality of recent meta-analyses on the utility of the staging of endometrial cancer with sentinel node biopsy, evaluated by the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool, is classified as critically low, and, therefore, these meta-analyses are not reliable in the summary of their studies.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2017;39(3):123-127
Expectant follow-up for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 is the current recommendation for the management of this lesion. Nevertheless, the performance of the biopsy guided by colposcopy might not be optimal. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the rate of underdiagnoses of more severe lesions in women with CIN 1 diagnosis and to evaluate whether age, lesion extent and biopsy site are factors associated with diagnostic failure.
Eighty women with a diagnosis of CIN 1 obtained by colposcopy-guided biopsy were selected for this study. These women were herein submitted to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of lesions more severe than CIN 1 was calculated, and the histological diagnoses of the LLETZ specimens were grouped into two categories: "CIN 1 or less" and "CIN 2 or worse."
The prevalence of lesions diagnosed as CIN 2 or worse in the LLETZ specimens was of 19% (15/80). Three women revealed CIN 3, and 1 woman revealed a sclerosing adenocarcinoma stage I-a, a rare type of malignant neoplasia of low proliferation, which was not detected by either colposcopy or previous biopsy. The underdiagnosis of CIN 2 was not associated with the women's age, lesion extension and biopsy site.
The standard methods used for the diagnosis of CIN 1 may underestimate the severity of the true lesion and, therefore, women undergoing expectant management must have an adequate follow-up.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2017;39(3):123-127
Expectant follow-up for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 is the current recommendation for the management of this lesion. Nevertheless, the performance of the biopsy guided by colposcopy might not be optimal. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the rate of underdiagnoses of more severe lesions in women with CIN 1 diagnosis and to evaluate whether age, lesion extent and biopsy site are factors associated with diagnostic failure.
Eighty women with a diagnosis of CIN 1 obtained by colposcopy-guided biopsy were selected for this study. These women were herein submitted to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of lesions more severe than CIN 1 was calculated, and the histological diagnoses of the LLETZ specimens were grouped into two categories: "CIN 1 or less" and "CIN 2 or worse."
The prevalence of lesions diagnosed as CIN 2 or worse in the LLETZ specimens was of 19% (15/80). Three women revealed CIN 3, and 1 woman revealed a sclerosing adenocarcinoma stage I-a, a rare type of malignant neoplasia of low proliferation, which was not detected by either colposcopy or previous biopsy. The underdiagnosis of CIN 2 was not associated with the women's age, lesion extension and biopsy site.
The standard methods used for the diagnosis of CIN 1 may underestimate the severity of the true lesion and, therefore, women undergoing expectant management must have an adequate follow-up.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2016;38(5):239-245
to evaluate the agreement between the clinical and pathological stagings of breast cancer based on clinical and molecular features.
this was a cross-sectional study, in which clinical, epidemiological and pathological data were collected from 226 patients who underwent surgery at the Prof. Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti Women's Hospital (CAISM/Unicamp) from January 2008 to September 2010. Patients were staged clinically and pathologically, and were classified as: understaged, when the clinical staging was lower than the pathological staging; correctly staged, when the clinical staging was the same as the pathological one; and overstaged, when the clinical staging was greater than the pathological staging.
understaged patients were younger (52.2 years; p < 0.01) and more symptomatic at diagnosis (p = 0.04) when compared with correctly or overstaged patients. Clinicopathological surrogate subtype, menopausal status, parity, hormone replace therapy and histology were not associated with differences in staging. Women under 57 years of age were clinically understaged mainly due to underestimation of T ( tumor staging) (p < 0.001), as were the premenopausal women (p < 0.01). Patients whose diagnosis was made due to clinical complaints, and not by screening, were clinically understaged due to underestimation of N (lymph nodes staging) (p < 0.001).
the study shows that the clinicopathological surrogate subtype is not associated with differences in staging, while younger women diagnosed because of clinical complaints tend to have their breast tumors understaged during clinical evaluation.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2016;38(5):239-245
to evaluate the agreement between the clinical and pathological stagings of breast cancer based on clinical and molecular features.
this was a cross-sectional study, in which clinical, epidemiological and pathological data were collected from 226 patients who underwent surgery at the Prof. Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti Women's Hospital (CAISM/Unicamp) from January 2008 to September 2010. Patients were staged clinically and pathologically, and were classified as: understaged, when the clinical staging was lower than the pathological staging; correctly staged, when the clinical staging was the same as the pathological one; and overstaged, when the clinical staging was greater than the pathological staging.
understaged patients were younger (52.2 years; p < 0.01) and more symptomatic at diagnosis (p = 0.04) when compared with correctly or overstaged patients. Clinicopathological surrogate subtype, menopausal status, parity, hormone replace therapy and histology were not associated with differences in staging. Women under 57 years of age were clinically understaged mainly due to underestimation of T ( tumor staging) (p < 0.001), as were the premenopausal women (p < 0.01). Patients whose diagnosis was made due to clinical complaints, and not by screening, were clinically understaged due to underestimation of N (lymph nodes staging) (p < 0.001).
the study shows that the clinicopathological surrogate subtype is not associated with differences in staging, while younger women diagnosed because of clinical complaints tend to have their breast tumors understaged during clinical evaluation.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(8):367-371
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005052
To study the incidence of tumors in a Brazilian sample of women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
This is a retrospective study of 395 medical charts from women with systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed by the presence of at least 4 of the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for the diagnosis of this disease and followed for the last 10 years in a rheumatology outpatient clinic. Demographic data (age and ethnicity of patients), data on disease duration, use of immunomodulators and on the presence of neoplasms were listed. Results are presented in frequency and contingency tables. The incidence rate of malignancies in women with lupus was compared with that of the general population for the same demographic region for the past ten years, using data published by the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA). Association studies were carried out by the Fisher and χ tests, when the data were nominal, and by Mann-Whitney test, when numeric. The level of significance was set at 5%.
Twenty-two cases of malignant tumors were identified during these 10 years of follow-up (22 cases/395 or 5.5% of the sample), being the most common those of the uterine cervix (10 cases/395 or 2.5% of the sample) and breast cancer (9 cases/395 or 2.2% of the sample). The presence of tumors was associated with disease duration (p=0.006) and was not influenced by treatment with methotrexate (p=0.1), azathioprine (p=0.9), cyclophosphamide (p=0.6) and glucocorticoids (p=0.3). Breast and uterine cervix tumors were more common in systemic lupus erythematosus women than in the general population (p<0.0001 for both).
A high prevalence of malignant tumors was found in this sample, with tumors being more common in patients with longer disease duration. The most frequent tumors affected the breast and uterus at a higher incidence than in the general population. The presence of tumors was not influenced by the use of glucocorticoids or immunosuppressors.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(8):367-371
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005052
To study the incidence of tumors in a Brazilian sample of women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
This is a retrospective study of 395 medical charts from women with systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed by the presence of at least 4 of the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for the diagnosis of this disease and followed for the last 10 years in a rheumatology outpatient clinic. Demographic data (age and ethnicity of patients), data on disease duration, use of immunomodulators and on the presence of neoplasms were listed. Results are presented in frequency and contingency tables. The incidence rate of malignancies in women with lupus was compared with that of the general population for the same demographic region for the past ten years, using data published by the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA). Association studies were carried out by the Fisher and χ tests, when the data were nominal, and by Mann-Whitney test, when numeric. The level of significance was set at 5%.
Twenty-two cases of malignant tumors were identified during these 10 years of follow-up (22 cases/395 or 5.5% of the sample), being the most common those of the uterine cervix (10 cases/395 or 2.5% of the sample) and breast cancer (9 cases/395 or 2.2% of the sample). The presence of tumors was associated with disease duration (p=0.006) and was not influenced by treatment with methotrexate (p=0.1), azathioprine (p=0.9), cyclophosphamide (p=0.6) and glucocorticoids (p=0.3). Breast and uterine cervix tumors were more common in systemic lupus erythematosus women than in the general population (p<0.0001 for both).
A high prevalence of malignant tumors was found in this sample, with tumors being more common in patients with longer disease duration. The most frequent tumors affected the breast and uterus at a higher incidence than in the general population. The presence of tumors was not influenced by the use of glucocorticoids or immunosuppressors.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2011;33(12):401-407
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011001200005
PURPOSE: To evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of gynecological patients seeking care in the private and public health networks. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we analyzed the records of 243 patients (122 public service patients and 121 private service ones), from January 2007 to January 2008. We excluded records of pregnant patients with vaginal bleeding, history of using vaginal creams or gels at intervals of less than 15 days and patients who had sexual intercourse within less than five days before their visit and with incomplete clinical data. Data were analyzed statistically using the Stata software, version 9.2, with a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients attending the public health service was 27±12 years-old and 25.9±10.4 years-old for patients attending the private health service, with no statistical difference between means (F=0.5 and p=0.4). Patients attending the public health service had lower education (p<0.001), they were preferentially housewives (p<0.001), began sexual life early, had a greater number of partners (p<0.001), of pregnancies (p<0.001) and of deliveries (p=0.004), and mainly used the condom as a contraceptive method (p=0.013). There was no statistical difference between groups regarding the history of sexual transmitted diseases, diagnosis of candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Patients attending the public health service have a higher number of pregnancies and births. They are usually housewives with low educational level, their sex life begins early, and they have more partners. However, there was no difference between groups when evaluating breast diseases, gynecological infections, or cancer of the cervix, which suggests that socioeconomic status is not the only element in the determination of the disease and, therefore, other variables should be evaluated.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2011;33(12):401-407
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011001200005
PURPOSE: To evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of gynecological patients seeking care in the private and public health networks. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we analyzed the records of 243 patients (122 public service patients and 121 private service ones), from January 2007 to January 2008. We excluded records of pregnant patients with vaginal bleeding, history of using vaginal creams or gels at intervals of less than 15 days and patients who had sexual intercourse within less than five days before their visit and with incomplete clinical data. Data were analyzed statistically using the Stata software, version 9.2, with a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients attending the public health service was 27±12 years-old and 25.9±10.4 years-old for patients attending the private health service, with no statistical difference between means (F=0.5 and p=0.4). Patients attending the public health service had lower education (p<0.001), they were preferentially housewives (p<0.001), began sexual life early, had a greater number of partners (p<0.001), of pregnancies (p<0.001) and of deliveries (p=0.004), and mainly used the condom as a contraceptive method (p=0.013). There was no statistical difference between groups regarding the history of sexual transmitted diseases, diagnosis of candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Patients attending the public health service have a higher number of pregnancies and births. They are usually housewives with low educational level, their sex life begins early, and they have more partners. However, there was no difference between groups when evaluating breast diseases, gynecological infections, or cancer of the cervix, which suggests that socioeconomic status is not the only element in the determination of the disease and, therefore, other variables should be evaluated.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2005;27(6):347-352
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000600009
PURPOSE: to assess the interference of two vaginal lubricants (vaseline and silicone) in the interpretation of cervical oncotic cytology. METHODS: a prospective research on one hundred women from August to October 2003. The women were divided into two groups of 50 patients each, according to the type of lubricant used. Two smears were obtained from every patient: the first specimen soon after the introduction of non-lubricated speculum and the second after the use of lubricated speculum with vaseline (Group V) or silicone (Group S). The samples were analyzed by two cytotechnicians, who were unaware of the origin of the smears. RESULTS: among the 100 pairs of slides, 8 results were partially different. The reasons for the differences were not directly related to the use of lubricant and did not interfere with the cytologic findings. The number of discordant results was 6 in Group S and 2 in Group V, without a statistically significant difference (p=0.269). The number of satisfactory and satisfactory but limited results was statistically similar regarding the use or not of lubricant: Group S: 46 satisfactory slides and 4 satisfactory but limited slides (p=0.001 and kappa=0.802) and Group V: 48 satisfactory and 2 satisfactory but limited slides (p=0.001 and kappa=0.953). There were no unsatisfactory results. No artefacts were found in slides obtained with lubricated speculum. CONCLUSION: the use of lubricated speculum with vaseline or silicone does not affect cervical oncotic cytology outcome.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2005;27(6):347-352
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000600009
PURPOSE: to assess the interference of two vaginal lubricants (vaseline and silicone) in the interpretation of cervical oncotic cytology. METHODS: a prospective research on one hundred women from August to October 2003. The women were divided into two groups of 50 patients each, according to the type of lubricant used. Two smears were obtained from every patient: the first specimen soon after the introduction of non-lubricated speculum and the second after the use of lubricated speculum with vaseline (Group V) or silicone (Group S). The samples were analyzed by two cytotechnicians, who were unaware of the origin of the smears. RESULTS: among the 100 pairs of slides, 8 results were partially different. The reasons for the differences were not directly related to the use of lubricant and did not interfere with the cytologic findings. The number of discordant results was 6 in Group S and 2 in Group V, without a statistically significant difference (p=0.269). The number of satisfactory and satisfactory but limited results was statistically similar regarding the use or not of lubricant: Group S: 46 satisfactory slides and 4 satisfactory but limited slides (p=0.001 and kappa=0.802) and Group V: 48 satisfactory and 2 satisfactory but limited slides (p=0.001 and kappa=0.953). There were no unsatisfactory results. No artefacts were found in slides obtained with lubricated speculum. CONCLUSION: the use of lubricated speculum with vaseline or silicone does not affect cervical oncotic cytology outcome.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2001;23(3):187-190
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000300009
A vulvar fibroma, of the molluscum pendulum type, was present in a 20-year-old patient. The tumor began to develop slowly after her menarche, when she was 14 years of age. The physical examination revealed a mass with considerable volume, painless, located at the upper third of the greator left lip, elastic consistency, greater diameter at its distal portion measuring 12 cm by 23 cm in length. The treatment was exeresis from the base of the pedicle, under local anesthesia. The tumor weighed 950 g. A literature review is included.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2001;23(3):187-190
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032001000300009
A vulvar fibroma, of the molluscum pendulum type, was present in a 20-year-old patient. The tumor began to develop slowly after her menarche, when she was 14 years of age. The physical examination revealed a mass with considerable volume, painless, located at the upper third of the greator left lip, elastic consistency, greater diameter at its distal portion measuring 12 cm by 23 cm in length. The treatment was exeresis from the base of the pedicle, under local anesthesia. The tumor weighed 950 g. A literature review is included.
