Benign or malignant ovarian neoplasms and ovarian endometriomas

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical features and biologic behavior of ovarian cancer that might be closely related to endometrioma and/or endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: All 324 women who were operated for endometriomas and/or ovarian tumors 5 cm or greater in diameter between January 1988 and December 1997. INTERVENTION: One hundred twelve women underwent laparoscopic surgery and 212 had laparotomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All tissues were evaluated histologically. Clinical examinations including ultrasound and serum tumor makers were performed in all patients preoperatively. No malignancies were found at laparoscopic surgery (76 endometriomas, 36 ovarian tumors). The frequency of endometriosis in benign, borderline malignant, and malignant tumors was 9.7%, 12.5%, and 11.4%, respectively. Endometriosis was present most frequently (40%) in women with endometrioid adenocarcinoma. It was present in 81 patients with endometriomas and 25 with ovarian neoplasms. Of these, nine women (8.5%) had malignant tumors, including borderline malignancy. Among patients with malignant tumors, those without endometriosis were significantly older (mean +/- SD age 54.9 +/- 16.2 yrs) than those with endometriosis elsewhere in the pelvis (45.9 +/- 8.9 yrs). CONCLUSION: Endometriosis may be closely related to ovarian tumors such as endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Surgeons should be aware of this possibility, and candidates for laparoscopic surgery should be carefully selected based on preoperative evaluations.     

Is incidental appendectomy necessary in women with ovarian endometrioma?

BACKGROUND: Several studies reported that pathology of the appendix is frequently detected alongside endometriosis, especially with chronic pelvic pain. Furthermore, ovarian endometriosis is a marker of more extensive pelvic and intestinal disease. AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of incidental appendectomy in laparoscopic surgical treatment for ovarian endometrioma. METHODS: One hundred and six women with ovarian endometrioma underwent laparoscopic surgery including laparoscopic appendectomy. Clinicopathological data were collected and analysed. RESULTS: The main symptoms consisted of lower abdominal pain in 51 (48.1%) women, dysmenorrhoea in 23 (21.7%), left lower quadrant pain in 6 (5.7%), right lower quadrant pain in nine (8.5%), chronic pelvic pain in five (4.7%), and others in 12 (11.3%). Only three (3.3%) of the 106 women had abnormal findings on gross inspection during laparoscopic surgery: two women with endometriotic spots on the surface of their appendixes, and one with peri-appendiceal inflammation with severe adhesions. Of the 106 resected appendixes, 37 (34.9%) had histopathologically confirmed pathology including lymphoid hyperplasia in 12 (11.3%), endometriosis in 14 (13.2%), peri-appendicitis and serositis in five (4.7%), carcinoid tumour in three (2.8%), and others in three (2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In all surgical treatments for ovarian endometrioma, surgeons need to preoperatively inform the patients of the fact that appendiceal pathology including endometriosis is found frequently regardless of concurrent symptoms or gross finding of the appendix. Furthermore, surgeons should take into account the possibility of appendiceal pathology during operation.     

Follicle loss after laparoscopic treatment of ovarian endometriotic cysts

Objective

To evaluate follicle loss and its associated factors during laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometrioma.

Method

Between October 2008 and December 2009, 140 patients with ovarian cysts undergoing laparoscopic cystectomy at Peking Union Medical Hospital were enrolled: 74 had ovarian endometrioma with no preoperative hormonal therapy (group A), 40 had ovarian endometrioma pretreated with GnRHa (group B), and 26 had non-endometriotic cysts (group C). Pre-, peri- , and postoperative clinical data were collected, and cyst specimens were evaluated histologically.

Results

The number of capsules showing follicles and the mean number of follicles per capsule were lower in group C than in group A or B (P < 0.05). Fewer type IIC than type IIB endometriomas showed follicles (P < 0.05). The number of follicles per cyst was related negatively to disease duration but positively to pain severity. Women in group A with unilateral endometrioma had a lower mean dysmenorrhea score after the surgery (P < 0.05), but no change in basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Conclusion

The type of cyst, disease duration, and severity of dysmenorrhea were associated with ovarian follicle loss during laparoscopic excision of endometrioma. Laparoscopic unilateral cystectomy for endometrioma was effective in relieving pain but had little effect on serum FSH, which might reflect the remaining ovarian reserve.     

Antral follicle count is reduced in the presence of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies suggest that the presence of endometriosis may lead to impaired ovarian reserve, while results evaluating the changes in antral follicle count (AFC) in endometriosis remain controversial. A systematic search returned 15 studies, of which nine compared AFC between patients with and without endometriosis, five articles reported differences in AFC between affected and unaffected ovaries in patients with unilateral ovarian endometriosis and one reported both of the above two situations. Overall results showed a significant decrease in AFC and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and increase in serum FSH concentrations in patients with endometriosis when compared with controls. Additionally, the AFC for the ovary with the endometrioma was also significantly lower than that of the contralateral ovary in patients with unilateral ovarian endometriosis. Moreover, it appears that the AFC in patients with endometriosis where the ovaries are not affected or in early stage were not significantly different in the control group. These findings demonstrate that endometriosis is associated with reduced AFC and AMH and elevated serum concentrations of FSH, suggesting a reduction in ovarian reserve in patients with endometriosis, especially in those with ovarian endometrioma and advanced stage.     

青少年子宫内膜异位症29例临床分析

目的:探讨青少年子宫内膜异位症(endometriosis,EMs)的特点、诊断和治疗。方法:回顾分析1995~2006年在北京协和医院手术确诊的29例年龄20周岁以内的EMs患者的临床资料。结果:无生殖道畸形21例患者的平均年龄为18.57±0.93岁,而伴发生殖道畸形8例患者的平均年龄为16.00±1.31岁,两者差异有统计学意义(t=5.96,P=0.00);导致就诊的主要症状为痛经或下腹痛(79.3%,23/29),其中选择手术的最主要原因是盆腔包块(96.6%);CA125升高(>35kU/L)占81%(13/16)。23例行腹腔镜手术,6例行开腹手术,伴发生殖道梗阻性畸形的患者同时或稍后行整形手术解除梗阻。按照r-ASF分期标准分期,Ⅰ期2例(6.9%),Ⅲ期20例(69.0%),Ⅳ期7例(24.1%)。11例患者术后辅助药物治疗。结论:青少年EMs主要症状为痛经或下腹痛,常合并生殖道梗阻性畸形。卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿是目前青少年EMs的主要手术指征。确诊依靠手术及病理,术后视情况用药物辅助治疗,合并畸形的患者要及早诊断并及时解除梗阻性畸形。     

Therapeutic Efficacy of Catheter-directed Ethanol Sclerotherapy and Its Impact on Ovarian Reserve in Patients with Ovarian Endometrioma at Risk of Decreased Ovarian Reserve: A Preliminary Study

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of catheter-directed ethanol sclerotherapy (CDS) and its effect on ovarian reserve in patients with endometrioma at risk of decreased ovarian reserve.DesignRetrospective study.SettingTeaching hospital.PatientsWe evaluated 18 patients with ovarian endometrioma measuring ≥3 cm and preprocedural serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels of <2 ng/mL.InterventionsAn 8.5-F catheter was inserted either transabdominally or transvaginally into the endometrioma. After aspiration, sclerotherapy with 99% ethanol was performed, with a subsequent 20-minute ethanol retention.Measurements and Main ResultsUltrasonography was performed preprocedurally and 6 months after CDS to evaluate any recurrence or changes in cyst size. Furthermore, serum AMH levels, cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels, and the visual analog scale scores for dysmenorrhea were obtained to analyze the ovarian reserve and treatment efficacy, preprocedurally and at 6 months after CDS. The mean cyst size on ultrasonography and serum CA-125 levels decreased 6 months after CDS (p <.001 and p = .001, respectively). All patients reported a decreased visual analog scale score for dysmenorrhea (p <.001). However, the difference in serum AMH levels before and after CDS was statistically insignificant (p = .875).ConclusionCDS was efficacious in reducing pain and serum CA-125 levels in patients with low AMH levels without adversely affecting their ovarian reserve.     

In vitro fertilization in patients with ovarian endometriomas

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to establish whether operative treatment of recurrent ovarian endometriosis improves the prognosis of in vitro fertilization. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A retrospective analysis of one hundred endometriosis patients admitted to Tampere University Hospital for IVF treatment. Forty-five patients had an ovarian endometrioma during IVF treatment, 36 of the cases being recurrences after a previous operation. Fifty-five patients had ovarian endometriomas operated without recurrence. The patient groups with or without endometriosis did not differ in age, duration of infertility, sperm parameters, amount of gonadotropins required per oocyte and number of retrieved oocytes. RESULTS: The patients with ovarian endometriosis had more embryos (mean 3.9) than women without endometriomas (mean 2.8) (p<0.05) and the respective pregnancy rates per IVF cycle were 38% and 22%. Patients with endometriomas had a live birth rate of 27% compared with 20% in women with no endometriomas. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a small endometrioma does not reduce the success of IVF treatment.     

Postoperative administration of monophasic combined oral contraceptives after laparoscopic treatment of ovarian endometriomas: a prospective, randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative administration of monophasic, combined, low-dose oral contraceptives on endometrioma recurrence and on persistence-recurrence of associated pain symptoms after laparoscopic treatment of moderate-to-severe endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective, randomized trial 70 patients who were not attempting to conceive, aged 20 to 35 years, underwent laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometriomas, followed by either postoperative administration of low-dose cyclic oral contraceptives for 6 months or no treatment on the basis of a computer-generated sequence. At 3 and 6 months after surgery and then at 6-month intervals, both groups underwent ultrasonographic examination for possible evidence of endometrioma recurrence and for evaluation of the absence, persistence, or recurrence of pain symptoms. RESULTS: Two patients in the oral contraceptive group did not complete the study. After a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 12-48 months), there were 2 (6.1%) endometrioma recurrences in the 33 patients who received postoperative oral contraceptives versus 1 (2.9%) recurrence in the 35 patients in the control group (not significant). The moderate-to-severe pain recurrence rate was 9.1% in the oral contraceptive group versus 17.1% in the control group (not significant). The mean time to recurrence of either symptoms or endometriomas was 18.2 months in the oral contraceptive group versus 12.7 months in the control group. The 12-month cumulative recurrence rate at life-table analysis was significantly lower for patients receiving oral contraceptives versus control subjects, whereas no significant difference was evident at 24 and 36 months. CONCLUSION: Postoperative administration of low-dose cyclic oral contraceptives does not significantly affect the long-term recurrence rate of endometriosis after surgical treatment. A delay in recurrence is evident at life-table analysis.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment reduced serum interleukin-6 concentrations in patients with ovarian endometriomas

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum interleukin (IL)-6 can be measured in patients with ovarian endometriomas and whether these measurements are useful in managing this disease. DESIGN: A controlled clinical study and an in vitro study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University, Japan.Twenty-two patients with ovarian endometriomas. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometriomas was performed. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was administered for 3 months in nine patients before laparoscopic surgery. Endometriotic stromal cells obtained from patients with endometriomas with or without GnRH agonist treatment were cultured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S): IL-6 concentrations in serum or supernatant of the cell culture were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: The serum concentration of IL-6 in patients with endometriomas was higher at the time of diagnosis than in those without endometriomas. Laparoscopic surgery significantly reduced serum levels of IL-6. Serum IL-6 concentrations also decreased after treatment with GnRH agonist. IL-6 production was attenuated in the endometriotic stromal cells obtained from patients with GnRH agonist treatment compared with patients without such treatment. CONCLUSION(S): GnRH agonist treatment may decrease IL-6 production in endometriotic cells. Measurement of serum IL-6 concentrations may be of value in managing patients with endometriomas.     

Surgical technique of endometrioma excision impacts on the ovarian reserve. Single-port access laparoscopy versus multiport access laparoscopy: a case control study

Abstract

Several recent studies report the detrimental effect of endometrioma excision on the ovarian reserve. Surgical technique and the excessive use of bipolar coagulation could be the key factors. Single-port access laparoscopy (SPAL) ovarian cystectomy has been reported as a comparable procedure to conventional laparoscopy in terms of operative outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the single-port surgery affects the ovarian reserve whilst performing laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for unilateral endometrioma. This was a prospective, case-control study of 99 women with unilateral endometrioma. Forty-nine women underwent single-port cystectomy and 50 women underwent multiport laparoscopic (MPL) conventional cystectomy. The primary outcome was the assessment of the ovarian reserve. We evaluated the serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels before, 4–6 weeks and 3 months after surgery. At T2 we performed an ultrasound assessment of the antral follicular count (AFC). We have drawn attention to a statistically significant decrease of the mean AMH value and AFC in the SPAL group at the 4–6-week and 3-month follow-up compared to the conventional laparoscopy group. In conclusion, our results suggest that SPAL cystectomy should not be recommended to patients undergoing surgery for endometrioma excision who want to preserve their fertility.     

Decreased levels of interleukin-18 in peritoneal fluid but not in serum of patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in peritoneal fluid and serum in patients with endometriosis in comparison with the control group. DESIGN: A prospective analytical study. SETTING: The obstetrics and gynecology department of an academic training hospital. PATIENT(S): Forty-four patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic diseases. INTERVENTION(S): Specimens of peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid were obtained before and during laparoscopic procedures, and the levels of IL-18 were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The concentrations of IL-18 in peritoneal fluid and serum were correlated with the presence of endometriosis, disease stage, and the phase of the menstrual cycle. RESULT(S): Interleukin-18 was detectable in 98% of the peritoneal specimens and 84% of the serum specimens of the patients tested. Peritoneal fluid IL-18 concentrations were statistically significantly lower in patients with endometriosis than in patients without endometriosis; the difference in serum IL-18 levels showed no statistically significant difference between the patients with and without endometriosis. The concentrations of IL-18 in peritoneal fluid and serum were not correlated with the stage of endometriosis or the phase of the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION(S): Our results suggest that the decreased levels of IL-18 in peritoneal fluid in patients with endometriosis as compared with the control group may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Pelvic adhesion formation at second-look surgery after laparoscopic partial and total peritoneal excision for women with endometriosis

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of pelvic adhesion formation at second-look surgery after laparoscopic excision of the pelvic peritoneum for pelvic endometriosis. The setting was a district hospital in the UK with a specialised unit for laparoscopic surgical treatment of endometriosis; this was a retrospective study. We used data from the hospital computer database to identify patients who had undergone laparoscopic excision of pelvic endometriosis from April 1998 to March 2004. All subsequent admissions for surgery (laparoscopic or open) were reviewed for the presence of pelvic adhesions as documented in the records and collaborated with photographs from surgery. Forty-eight cases were identified from a cohort of 236 patients who initially had laparoscopic excision of pelvic peritoneum affected with endometriosis. Forty-six had laparoscopic surgery and two had open surgery. At second look surgery, 44 patients (91.7%) had no de-novo pelvic adhesions in the areas where the initial excision was performed. Four patients (8.3%) had filmy adhesions in the pelvis; these patients had other surgical procedures (two had LAVH) or on-going disease (one with recto-vaginal endometriosis nodule and the other with ovarian endometrioma at initial surgery). There were no dense or significant pelvic adhesions. Laparoscopic excision of the pelvic peritoneum as a treatment for pelvic peritoneal endometriosis is not associated with significant pelvic adhesion formation.     

子宫腺肌病/卵巢异位囊肿炎性压力及其与临床特征相关性研究

目的：系统探讨子宫腺肌病/卵巢异位囊肿患者外周血炎性指标变化及其与临床特征的相关性,为子宫腺肌病/卵巢异位囊肿抗炎治疗提供依据。方法：选取来自同济大学附属杨浦医院收治的子宫腺肌病手术患者58例（子宫腺肌病组）、卵巢异位囊肿手术患者37例（卵巢异位囊肿组）,健康女性47例（对照组）,于增生期抽取外周血,检测血清炎性细胞因子和肿瘤相关抗原浓度,分析炎性压力与临床特征的相关性。结果：子宫腺肌病组外周血中性粒细胞（Neu）、Neu%、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）、IL-8、CA199、CA125高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）;子宫腺肌病组外周血血红蛋白（HGB）低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（Z=688.50,P=0.00）。卵巢异位囊肿组外周血Neu、Neu%、NLR、IL-6、IL-8、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、CA199和CA125高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。子宫腺肌病中度痛经组外周血白细胞（WBC）、CA125高于轻度痛经组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。子宫腺肌病重度痛经组外周血WBC、Neu、Neu%、NLR、IL-8和IL-6高于中度痛经组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。子宫腺肌病重度痛经组外周血WBC、Neu、Neu%、NLR、IL-6、IL-8和CA125高于轻度痛经组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。子宫腺肌病中、重度痛经组外周血HGB低于轻度痛经组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。子宫腺肌病经量过多组外周血WBC、Neu、Neu%、NLR、IL-6、IL-8和CA125高于正常月经组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。卵巢异位囊肿重度痛经组外周血IL-6、IL-8高于轻度、中度痛经组,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。子宫内膜异位症患者肿瘤指标与外周血炎性指标在统计学上无明显相关性。结论：子宫腺肌病/卵巢异位囊肿处于全身炎症压力状态,并与临床特征相关,为子宫内膜异位症抗炎治疗提供了依据。。     

Ovarian endometrioma but not deep infiltrating endometriosis is associated with increased serum levels of interleukin-8 and interleukin-6

Cytokines, and specifically interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), have been associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis. We studied serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) or ovarian endometriomas (OE), but no other forms of associated endometriosis disease type. We carried out a case-control study including 19 patients with OE alone (OE group), 14 patients with DIE alone (DIE group) and 24 healthy patients without endometriosis (C group). Serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured in the three groups of patients. Serum levels of both IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in the OE group. A high positive correlation was found between serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the OE group but not in the DIE and C groups. Serum IL-8 alone achieved the highest predictive value of the presence of OE (adjusted OR: 1.44; sensitivity: 78.2%; specificity: 76.2%). The combination of IL-6 and IL-8 levels did not significantly improve the discrimination between subjects with OE and those with DIE over that of IL-8. OE but not DIE are associated with increased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8, and thus these may become useful tools for discriminating OE alone from DIE.     

子宫内膜异位症患者血清与腹腔液中肿瘤坏死因子α及白细胞 …

目的 了解子宫内膜异位症（内异症）患者血清及腹腔液中肿瘤坏死因子α（ＴＮＦ－α）、白细胞介素６（ＩＬ－６）的水平以及在腹腔镜保守性手术治疗后的变化。方法 收集内异症Ｉ、Ⅱ期及Ⅲ、Ⅳ期患者各１０例（共２０例）有腹腔镜手术前后的血清和腹腔液,并以经腹腔镜检查确诊为与内异症无关病例１０例（共２０例）有腹腔镜手术前后的血清和腹腔液,并以经腹腔镜检查确诊为与内异症无关病例１０例为对照,应用放射免疫双抗体夹心     

The Role of Ovarian Suspension in Endometriosis Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study ObjectiveA very high percentage of patients with severe pelvic endometriosis develop adhesions after laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the role of ovarian suspension performed during surgery for severe endometriosis on ovarian adhesions and postoperative pelvic pain.DesignA randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).SettingThe tertiary care University Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.PatientsEighty patients with ovarian and posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis were included in the study.InterventionsPatients underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and were randomized sequentially into 2 groups: transient ovarian suspension was performed in the treatment group (n = 40), whereas in the control group (n = 40) ovaries were left free in the pelvis. Symptom intensity (dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria) were ranked using a visual analog scale. Postsurgical ovarian adhesions were evaluated using transvaginal ultrasonographic scans performed by an ultrasound operator who was blinded to the details of the operative procedure and women's randomization allocation. Complications, lesion localization, endometrioma diameter, and surgery time were recorded.Measurements and Main ResultsAt follow-up, a significantly lower rate of ultrasound-detectable ovarian adhesions with the uterus and the bowel was observed in the treatment group, respectively (46.7% vs 77.3%, p = .003 and 26.7% vs 68.2%, p < .0005). Patients in the control group showed a higher percentage of fixed ovaries with moderate and severe adhesions than the treatment group, respectively (56.8% vs 28.9%, p = .003 and 20.5% vs 8.9%, p = .110). No differences between the 2 groups were found regarding complications and pelvic pain.ConclusionOvarian suspension seems to be an additional effective surgical procedure associated with an increased ovarian mobility in women treated for severe endometriosis. Moreover, it is feasible, safe, simple, and fast. Hence, it should be routinely used during laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.     

Ⅲ~Ⅳ期子宫内膜异位症术后复发相关因素的研究

目的： 探究Ⅲ~Ⅳ期子宫内膜异位症（endometriosis,EMs）患者术后复发的影响因素,为预防复发和术后管理提供参考。方法： 选取2016年1月—2019年1月于安徽医科大学附属省立医院接受腹腔镜保守性手术治疗的Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者538例,结合其临床病历和随访信息,运用SPSS 26.0软件分析复发的影响因素及术后妊娠状况。结果： 全部患者术后随访16~53个月,中位时间为35.1个月,随访期间共77例患者出现复发。单因素分析表明,r-AFS评分、术前痛经、术后促性腺激素释放激素激动剂（GnRHa）治疗时间和术后妊娠对Ⅲ~Ⅳ期EMs患者术后复发有影响（均P<0.05）。多因素Cox回归分析表明,术前痛经和r-AFS评分≥77.5是EMs患者术后复发的独立危险因素（P<0.05）;术后GnRHa治疗6个月和术后妊娠是EMs患者术后复发的保护性因素（P<0.05）。相较于术后第2年（27.27%）和第3年（18.75%）的自然妊娠率,术后第1年妊娠率（45.90%）最高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.016 7）。结论： Ⅲ~Ⅳ期EMs患者保守性手术后复发率较高,术前痛经和r-AFS评分是术后复发的独立危险因素,应量化后纳入复发风险预测模型;术后GnRHa治疗6个月和妊娠可以降低术后复发率,应鼓励有生育要求的患者术后在GnRHa治疗后积极备孕。     

Recurrence rate of endometrioma after laparoscopic cystectomy: A comparative randomized trial between post-operative hormonal suppression treatment or dietary therapy vs. placebo

Objective(s)

To assess the recurrence rate of endometrioma after laparoscopic cystectomy plus hormonal suppression treatment or plus dietary therapy compared to post-operative placebo.

Study design

A randomized comparative trial was conducted on 259 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopic unilateral/bilateral cystectomy for endometrioma. Seven days after surgery, the patients were randomly allocated on the basis of a computer-generated randomization sequence, to one of four post-operative management arms as follows: placebo (n = 65) or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (tryptorelin or leuprorelin, 3.75 mg every 28 days) (n = 65) or continuous low-dose monophasic oral contraceptives (ethynilestradiol, 0.03 mg plus gestoden, 0.75 mg) (n = 64) or dietary therapy (vitamins, minerals salts, lactic ferments, fish oil) (n = 65) for 6 months. At 18 months’ follow-up after surgery, all patients were monitored with a clinical gynecologic examination, and a transvaginal ultrasonography for possible evidence of endometrioma recurrence.

Result(s)

At 18 months’ transvaginal ultrasonographic follow-up after surgery, no significant recurrence rate of endometrioma was detected in women who received a postoperative course of hormonal suppression treatment or dietary therapy when compared with placebo (placebo vs. GnRH-a P = 0.316, placebo vs. estroprogestin P = 0.803, placebo vs. dietary therapy P = 0.544). Second-look laparoscopy was performed on a clinical basis and confirmed the ultrasonographic suspicion of recurrence of endometrioma in all cases: 10 (16.6%) in the post-operative placebo group vs. 6 (10.3%) in the post-operative GnRH-a group vs. 9 (15.0%) in the post-operative continuous estroprogestin group vs. 11 (17.8%) in the post-operative dietary therapy group. Of 36 patients with recurrent ovarian endometriosis, 8 had recurrence on the treated ovary, 20 on the contralateral ovary that appeared to be normal at the time of the first-line surgery, and 8 on both the treated and untreated ovaries. Endometrioma recurrences were associated with moderate-to-severe painful symptoms in 14/36 patients (38.8%), while the remaining 22 (61.1%) patients were asymptomatic.

Conclusion(s)

A 6-month course of hormonal suppression treatment or dietary therapy after laparoscopic cystectomy had no significant effect on the recurrence rate of ovarian endometriosis when compared with surgery plus placebo. So, treatment of endometrioma can be carried out exclusively by laparoscopic cystectomy without post-operative therapy, if a complete excision of ovarian endometriosis has been assured.     

Ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising from endometriosis in a young woman

BACKGROUND: The risk of ovarian cancer increases in women with a long history of ovarian endometriosis, particularly in postmenopausal women. We present here a case of malignant transformation of endometriosis occurring over a short time in a young woman. CASE: The 27-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic cystectomy and was diagnosed with left ovarian endometrioma with an accompanying high level of serum CA125 (734.6 U/mL). Fourteen months later, she underwent cytoreductive surgery for her ovarian cancer. Histological examination revealed endometrioid adenocarcinoma with transitions between endometriosis and adenocarcinoma. She was diagnosed as having stage IIIc of ovarian cancer with paraaortic lymphnode involvement. CONCLUSION: We suggest that endometrial cyst of the ovary associated with high levels of serum CA125 should be managed with special care even in a young woman.     

Evaluation of immediate laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic disorders

The purpose of this study was to obtain information to aid in deciding the timing of immediate laparoscopic surgery for gynecological disorders. We evaluated immediate laparoscopic surgery (within 12 h after admission) performed at our institution between January 2005 and March 2010. Of the total 287 laparoscopic surgeries performed for patients with gynecological disorders during this period, 70 (24.4%) were immediate laparoscopic surgeries, 33 (47.1%) of which were for ectopic pregnancy, and 24 (34.3%) for ovarian tumor. Among the 24 surgeries for ovarian tumor, there were almost equal proportions of surgeries for mature cystic teratoma (ten cases, 41.7%) and endometrioma (nine cases, 37.5%). As to the breakdown of immediate surgery by pathology, immediate surgeries were performed in 20.8% of mature cystic teratoma cases and in 12.9% of endometrioma cases during this study period. In the 24 immediate surgeries for ovarian tumor, 10 cases (41.7%) had neither torsion nor rupture, 7 cases (29.2%) had torsion with mature cystic teratoma, serous cystadenoma or follicular cyst, and 7 cases (29.2%) had rupture of the tumor, all of which were endometrioma. Preoperatively, there were no significant differences between torsion and non-torsion cases in serum white blood cell (WBC) count or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in peripheral blood. However, serum WBC and CRP levels tended to be elevated in cases of rupture with endometrioma. Especially in patients with ovarian tumor, presumed pathology is important in deciding the timing of immediate laparoscopic surgery.