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J S Rader

Publications and source records attributed to J S Rader.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Aberrant promoter methylation and silencing of the POU2F3 gene in cervical cancer.

POU2F3 (OCT11, Skn-1a) is a keratinocyte-specific POU transcription factor whose expression is tied to squamous epithelial stratification. It is also a candidate tumor suppressor gene in cervical cancer (CC) because it lies in a critical loss of heterozygosity region on 11q23.3 in that cancer, and its expression is lost in more than 50% of CC tumors and cell lines. We now report that the loss of POU2F3 expression is tied to the hypermethylation of CpG islands in the POU2F3 promoter. Bisulfite sequencing analysis revealed that methylation of specific CpG sites (-287 to -70 bp) correlated with POU2F3 expression, which could be reactivated with a demethylating agent. Combined bisulfite restriction analysis revealed aberrant methylation of the POU2F3 promoter in 18 of 46 (39%) cervical tumors but never in normal epithelium. POU2F3 expression was downregulated and inversely correlated with promoter hypermethylation in 10 out of 11 CC cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis on a cervical tissue microarray detected POU2F3 protein in the epithelium above the basal layer. As the disease progressed, expression also decreased, especially in invasive squamous cell cancer (70% loss). Thus, aberrant DNA methylation of the CpG island in POU2F3 promoter appears to play a key role in silencing this gene expression in human CC. The results suggested that POU2F3 might be one of the CC-related tumor suppressor genes, which are disrupted by both epigenetic and genetic mechanisms.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase variants and the development of invasive cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Low red blood cell folate levels have been associated with hypomethylation of DNA in dysplastic tissue and an increased risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected women. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical enzyme regulating the metabolism of folate and methionine, the important components of DNA synthesis and methylation. Two common genetic polymorphisms, causing reduced MTHFR activity, have been identified. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate these MTHFR variations as risk factors for invasive cervical cancer. METHODS: To overcome the failure to properly match cases and controls that can cause false-positive inferences due to population stratification and unrecognized variables in a traditional case-control study, a family-based transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) was used. We obtained samples from nuclear families of 102 women with invasive cervical cancer (ICC). One polymorphism was typed by a PCR-RFLP method, while a template-directed dye-terminator assay was developed for the other. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to confirm a strong association of MTHFR polymorphisms and ICC using family-based controls and a transmission/disequilibrium test. The overall results of the TDT showed chi(2) (1 df) of 0.28 (P = 0.60) for exon 4, chi(2) (1 df) of 0.81(P = 0.37) for exon 7, and chi(2) (3 df) of 2.56 (P = 0.46) for the haplotype, meaning that there was no transmission of those alleles significantly in excess of Mendelian expectations to affected women. In addition, there was no effect of these variants with increased parity or infection with high-risk-type human papillomavirus.

Adult↗

A phase II study to determine the efficacy and tolerability of intravenous ZD9331 in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This Phase II, multicenter, open-label study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of ZD9331, a novel direct-acting thymidylate synthase inhibitor, in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: The study recruited 44 women with ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer previously treated with platinum therapy and paclitaxel and with progressive disease after, or intolerance to, topotecan administered as the most recent therapy. ZD9331 was administered as an intravenous infusion at 130 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8 of 3-week cycles, until objective evidence of disease progression. A cutoff date of 3 months after the last patient received the first dose was set for data collection. RESULTS: Patients received a mean of 3.3 cycles of ZD9331 and a total of 143 cycles were administered. Among the 42 patients evaluated for best overall tumor response, one achieved a complete response and two achieved a partial response, giving an objective tumor response rate of 7%. The complete response occurred at Day 15 of Cycle 2 in a patient receiving ZD9331 as her eighth-line therapy. Seven patients had stable disease, giving a disease control rate of 23%. Thirty-one patients (71%) had disease progression and the median time to progression was 53 days. Most patients (89%) experienced drug-related adverse events, most commonly nausea (73%), vomiting (48%), and neutropenia (50%). Six patients (14%) were withdrawn from treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary evidence of efficacy and acceptable tolerability of ZD9331 in this heavily pretreated population with ovarian cancer warrants further investigation, especially in a less heavily pretreated patient population.

Adult↗

Microsatellite instability, MLH1 promoter methylation, and loss of mismatch repair in endometrial cancer and concomitant atypical hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: MLH1 methylation is associated with the microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype in endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia, a premalignant precursor to carcinoma. The observation that methylation is also seen in atypical endometrial hyperplasia without MSI suggests that methylation is an early event in endometrial tumorigenesis. Our objective was to determine if methylation is always present in MSI-positive atypical hyperplasia concomitant with MSI-positive, methylation-positive carcinoma. METHODS: We used laser capture microdissection to study MLH1 methylation and MSI in a large series of endometrial cancer cases that had previously been shown to have methylation and the MSI-high (MSI-H) phenotype. We resampled areas of carcinoma from 27 patients along with 51 foci of concomitant atypical endometrial hyperplasia. RESULTS: Consistent with previous reports, we saw MLH1 methylation in areas of atypical endometrial hyperplasia that did not show MSI. In addition, we noted that 18% of the MSI-H atypical endometrial hyperplasia DNAs lacked methylation of critical cytosines in the MLH1 promoter. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that these MSI-H unmethylated foci of atypical endometrial hyperplasia failed to express MLH1, as did regions of simple hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Methylation of the MLH1 promoter is an early event in endometrial tumorigenesis. Given that not all MSI-positive tissues had methylation at cytosines -229 and -231, it appears that methylation may not be required for MLH1 silencing and loss of mismatch repair.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Phase I study of rubitecan and gemcitabine in patients with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Rubitecan (9-nitrocamptothecin, 9-NC, Orathecin) and gemcitabine have single-agent activity in pancreatic and ovarian carcinoma. We conducted a phase I trial to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicities of this combination in advanced malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with refractory or recurrent malignancies were enrolled in this dose escalation trial. Dose escalation proceeded from a starting level of rubitecan at 0.75 mg/m(2)/day administered orally on days 1-5 and 8-12 in combination with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) administered intravenously on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. RESULTS: The MTD was defined as rubitecan 1 mg/m(2) administered orally days 1-5 and 8-12, and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) administered intravenously over 30 min days 1 and 8, given every 21 days. Dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression including neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Other side effects included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Five patients with stable disease were observed among 18 evaluable patients. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended phase II dose is rubitecan 1 mg/m(2) given orally on days 1-5 and 8-12 in combination with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) as a 30-min intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle.

Adult↗

Mutation screening analysis of the retinoblastoma related gene RB2/p130 in sporadic ovarian cancer and head and neck squamous cell cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the involvement of the RB2/p130 gene in the pathogenesis of sporadic ovarian cancer in addition to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Paired tumour and patient matched normal DNA samples from 43 sporadic ovarian tumours and 39 normal/tumour HNSCC DNA samples were screened. The mutation screen used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing of the PCR products. Exons 19 and 20 (B domain) and exons 21 and 22 (C-terminus) were analysed for mutations. These exons were chosen because most of the point mutations in RB2/p130 are located in the C-terminal region and mutations in these exons have been identified previously in nasopharyngeal carcinomas and primary lung tumours. RESULTS: No abnormal band shifts were seen in the samples analysed, and no bands directly sequenced revealed the presence of mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic alterations in the RB2/p130 gene (exons 19-22) are unlikely to be involved directly in the pathogenesis of sporadic ovarian cancer or HNSCC.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Genotypic and phenotypic progression in endometrial tumorigenesis: determining when defects in DNA mismatch repair and KRAS2 occur.

We set out to determine the relative timing of loss of DNA mismatch repair and KRAS2 mutation in endometrial tumorigenesis. We studied endometrial carcinoma (CA) and synchronous atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH), the premalignant precursor of endometrial cancer. Carcinoma and hyperplasia were investigated for loss of mismatch repair as evidenced by microsatellite instability (MSI) and for KRAS2 mutations. Endometrial cancers previously shown to be MSI-positive were evaluated for KRAS2 codon 12 and 13 mutations. DNA was isolated from foci of AEH concomitant with, but physically remote from, the cancers by use of tissues prepared by laser capture microdissection (LCM). The AEH DNAs were then assessed for MSI and KRAS2 mutations. Of 210 endometrial CAs investigated, 51 (26%) were MSI-positive, and among those, 21 (41%) arose concomitantly with AEH. Of 41 foci of AEH (mean, two foci per patient) investigated, 34 (83%) were MSI-positive. KRAS2 mutations were seen in 5/51 (10%) MSI-positive carcinomas. From the five patients informative for both KRAS2 mutation and MSI, 10 foci of AEH were available for investigation. All 10 AEH specimens (100%) were MSI-positive, and six (60%) had the KRAS2 mutation present in the coexisting CA. The observation that some MSI-positive AEH specimens lack the KRAS2 mutation seen in the coexisting CA supports a model in which loss of DNA mismatch repair precedes KRAS2 mutation. However, in addition to the absence of KRAS2 mutations in AEH, we discovered mutations in LCM hyperplasia and carcinoma specimens that were not present in the portion of the cancers originally investigated. These discordant genotypes suggest genetic heterogeneity in endometrial hyperplasia and concomitant cancer.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

Factors predicting subcutaneous implanted central venous port function: the relationship between catheter tip location and port failure in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: We set out to determine the factors that predict subcutaneous implanted central venous port function. Specifically, we sought to determine whether the location of the catheter tip is correlated with port failure. METHODS: A review of all gynecologic oncology patients who underwent initial port placement between 1993 and 1998 was undertaken. The initial chest radiograph following port placement was reviewed, and the venous location of the catheter tip was recorded. Patients were followed until port removal, death, or the last documentation of port function. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six patients underwent port placement during the study period. The majority of patients (97%) had their port placed for intravenous chemotherapy. The median time of port duration in patients with a functional port was 21.6 months. Forty of the 236 ports (17%) were removed because of device malfunction. Catheter tips were located in the central venous system in 164 (69%) cases and outside of the central venous system in 72 (31%) cases. Removal secondary to malfunction was significantly higher when the catheter tip was located outside of the central venous system (30/72 (42%) versus 10/164 (6%), P = 0.001). By life-table analysis, ports removed for malfunction with their tips located centrally had a significantly longer median duration of functional use than those whose tips were located peripherally (78 versus 44 months, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of port removal secondary to malfunction is significantly less if the catheter tip is located in the central venous system. Confirmation of the location of the catheter tip is imperative for the long-term function of a subcutaneous implanted central venous port.

Adult↗

Role of the ultrasonic surgical aspirator in gynecology.

As is true in neurosurgery and general surgery, the ultrasonic surgical aspirator is a powerful tool for the general gynecologist and gynecologic oncologist in assisting in the treatment and management of benign and malignant diseases. The physical properties of ultrasonic sound waves along with the composition of the tissues in question allow for safe, selective, and precise tissue resection. Although the ultrasonic surgical aspirator has had favorable results to date and future applications seem promising, the ultimate role of this device needs to be established with clinical trials.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Loss of heterozygosity at 11q23.3 in vasculoinvasive and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

We have previously demonstrated a strong relationship between loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome 11q23.3 and the presence of extensive tumor plugs in lymphvascular spaces (LVS) in stage 1B cervical carcinoma, suggesting that genes at this locus may regulate vasculoinvasion. This study examined LOH at 11q23.3 in microdissected tumor plugs within LVS and in metastatic foci in lymph nodes (MFLN), as well as corresponding invasive tumor and adjacent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3 in stage 1B squamous cell carcinoma. Of 49 invasive carcinomas, 38.8% had LOH at 11q23.3. Of 36 tumor plugs in LVS, 39% had LOH at 11q23.3. Twenty percent of 15 MFLN demonstrated LOH at 11q23.3. Patients with LOH at 11q23.3 are significantly more likely to have disease recurrence than patients without LOH at 11q23.3 (P =.02). Of 10 foci of CIN 3, none showed LOH at 11q23.3. Although unlikely to have an impact early in carcinogenesis, tumor-suppressor genes located in the region of 11q23.3 appear to be important in tumor progression, facilitating lymphvascular space invasion and, by inference, spread to lymph nodes in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Adult↗

Microsatellite instability and mutational analysis of transforming growth factor beta receptor type II gene (TGFBR2) in sporadic ovarian cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the possible role of mutations in the transforming growth factor beta receptor type II gene (TGFBRII) in ovarian cancer and its relation to microsatellite instability (MSI), 43 sporadic ovarian tumours were analysed for mutations over the entire coding region of the TGFBRII gene. METHODS: Mutational analysis was performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) gel analysis, and direct sequencing. MSI analysis included both mononucleotide and dinucleotide microsatellite markers used for radiolabelling and gene scanning. RESULTS: No pathogenic mutations were detected, although sequencing of the polyadenine (poly A) tract in exon 3 using conventional techniques revealed a spurious frameshift mutation that was not present in the same samples analysed using a proofreading Taq polymerase. MSI analysis demonstrated an MSI negative phenotype in 40 of the 43 tumours. None of the three MSI positive tumours demonstrated MSI for mononucleotide markers only. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that: (1) MSI (both conventional and mononucleotide) is infrequent in ovarian cancer and (2) inactivation of the MSH2, MLH1, and MSH6 mismatch repair genes and TGFBR2 gene mutations do not play a major role in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. The spurious TGFBR2 frameshift mutations detected by sequencing after conventional PCR underline the importance of confirming putative mutations in repetitive sequences by alternative methods.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

Cyclooxygenase-2 is overexpressed in human cervical cancer.

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important target for preventing epithelial malignancies. Little is known, however, about the expression of COX-2 in gynecological malignancies. By immunoblot analysis, COX-2 was detected in 12 of 13 cases of cervical cancer but was undetectable in normal cervical tissue. Immunohistochemistry revealed COX-2 in malignant epithelial cells. COX-2 was also expressed in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The mechanism by which COX-2 is up-regulated in cervical cancer is unknown. Because the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is commonly overexpressed in cervical cancer, we investigated whether EGF could induce COX-2 in cultured human cervical carcinoma cells. Treatment with EGF markedly induced COX-2 protein, COX-2 mRNA, and stimulated COX-2 promoter activity. The induction of COX-2 by EGF was suppressed by inhibitors of tyrosine kinase activity, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Moreover, overexpressing dominant-negative forms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, p38, and c-Jun blocked EGF-mediated induction of COX-2 promoter activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that deregulation of the EGF receptor signaling pathway may lead to enhanced COX-2 expression in cervical cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prophylactic oophorectomy and ovarian cancer surveillance. Patient perceptions and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate decision making, information gathering, satisfaction and regret in women at increased risk of ovarian cancer who had undergone prophylactic oophorectomy or ovarian cancer surveillance. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty women undergoing prophylactic oophorectomy (median age, 47 years) and 30 women who had undergone ovarian cancer surveillance (median age, 43) completed an in-depth telephone interview consisting of open-ended questions. RESULTS: Most commonly cited concerns before prophylactic oophorectomy included the physical discomfort of surgery and recovery (40%) and issues of immediate menopause and hormone replacement (37%). Fourteen women (47%) would have liked more information prior to surgery. Two women (7%) expressed regret about their decision. The remaining 28 women (93%) undergoing prophylactic oophorectomy expressed no regret about the decision. Nine women (37%) would have liked more information prior to considering ovarian cancer surveillance. Nearly half the women undergoing surveillance did not recall receiving any information about prophylactic oophorectomy as an option. Fifteen women (50%) expressed some regret about ovarian cancer surveillance, and three were frankly dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: Few women undergoing prophylactic oophorectomy had regret about their decision, though half these women would have liked more information prior to surgery. Many women undergoing ovarian cancer surveillance had some regret about or dissatisfaction with their decision.

Adult↗

Clinical significance of microsatellite instability in endometrial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of endometrial carcinomas with and without microsatellite instability (MSI). METHODS: The authors prospectively acquired DNA from patients with endometrial carcinomas at Washington University Medical Center. Tumors were assigned MSI (+) status when two or more of five microsatellite repeat markers revealed novel bands in tumor DNA not present in the corresponding normal DNA. Clinical characteristics and survival data of patients with and without MSI were abstracted from patient charts. Statistical significance was calculated with the chi-square test, and survival was assessed with Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: The authors found 65 of 70 (93%) patients with MSI (+) tumors to be of white race, whereas only 124 of 159 (78%) patients with MSI (-) tumors were white (P = 0.012). Advanced disease (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage III-IV) was observed in 9 of 70 (13%) MSI (+) patients and 44 of 159 (28%) MSI (-) patients (P = 0.017). In addition, aggressive histologic subtypes were observed less frequently in MSI (+) tumors (6/70 [8%]) than in MSI (-) tumors (30 of 159 [19%]) (P = 0.034). Race and stage were shown by multivariate analysis to be different in MSI (+) and MSI (-) patients. Recurrence and overall survival were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MSI (+) tumors were more likely to be of white race and to present with early stage disease. Further investigation is needed to explain why patients with MSI (+) tumors have similar survival to patients with MSI (-) tumors, despite presenting at earlier stages, being of white race, and being less likely to be associated with virulent histologic subtypes.

DNA, Neoplasm↗

Evaluation of gemcitabine in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a Phase II study of the gynecologic oncology group.

PURPOSE: A multicenter Phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine in patients with previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were required to have measurable disease with adequate performance status, bone marrow, hepatic, and renal function. Histologic confirmation of the primary diagnosis as squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix was mandatory. Patients were allowed one prior chemotherapy regimen, usually cisplatin-based. The initial dose of gemcitabine was 800 mg/m(2) weekly times three with 1 week off until progressive disease or adverse effects prohibited further therapy. Doses were escalated or reduced based on previous cycle toxicity. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were entered into the trial. One patient never received the drug and 1 patient was inevaluable for response. A median of two cycles were administered to each patient (range: 1-7 cycles). The overall response rate (two partial responses) was 8% with 21% of patients having stable disease. The median progression-free interval was 1.9 months (range: 0.5-9.0) and overall survival was 4.9 months (range: 1.5-16.3). Two patients had grade 4 neutropenia; 1 patient had grade 4 anemia. The median WBC nadir in the 13 patients experiencing any leukopenia was 2300/microl (range: 400-3800). There was only one episode of grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Gemcitabine as a single agent demonstrated minimal antitumor activity in previously treated patients with squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix. Since gemcitabine in the dose and schedule employed is known to potentiate the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and radiotherapy (the current standard therapies for this disease), further development of gemcitabine would only be indicated in combination with these treatment modalities.

Adult↗

Atypical clustering of gynecologic malignancies: A family study including molecular analysis of candidate genes.

OBJECTIVE: We set out to determine whether hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) was responsible for cancer susceptibility in a family with gynecologic malignancies in three consecutive generations. METHODS: A detailed family history study, including review of medical records, was undertaken. Tumor DNAs from affected family members were evaluated for microsatellite instability (MSI). Linkage between cancer susceptibility and the candidate DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH3, and MSH6 (GTBP) was investigated. MLH1 and MSH2 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and MSH2 was investigated for mutation. RESULTS: Four gynecologic malignancies in the core family were confirmed. MSI was seen in six of seven cancers studied. The only MSI-negative tumor was an ovarian cancer from the proband's maternal grandmother, which arose at the age of 92. Haplotype analysis using chromosome 2p markers implicated the MSH2 gene in this family's cancer susceptibility. MSH2 protein expression was absent in an MSI-positive colon cancer from an affected family member. CONCLUSIONS: The inability to exclude linkage of MSH2 with the disease susceptibility, the presence of the MSI phenotype in cancers from family members sharing the same region of chromosome 2p, and the lack of immunodetectable MSH2 point to MSH2-associated HNPCC as a cause for this family's cancer susceptibility. Continued efforts to increase awareness of the heritability of endometrial cancer should improve our understanding of the disease, with resultant improved surveillance strategies, recommendations for surgical and chemoprophylaxis, and identification of patients at risk for malignancy as a result of HNPCC.

Adult↗

Absence of PTEN repeat tract mutation in endometrial cancers with microsatellite instability.

OBJECTIVE: PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene shown to be frequently mutated in endometrial cancers, has been suggested to be a target of microsatellite instability (MSI)-driven mutagenesis. We set out to investigate the relationship between MSI and PTEN mutation in a large series of primary endometrial carcinomas. METHODS: Thirty-nine MSI-positive endometrial cancers were evaluated by single-strand conformational variant analysis and direct sequencing to screen all nine PTEN exons for mutation. RESULTS: Fifteen specimens (38%) demonstrated 16 PTEN mutations. We observed only one alteration in the poly-adenine repeat of exon 8 that is suggested to be a target for mutation in endometrial cancers with MSI. Seven of 16 (44%) mutations in our series were deletions of >/=3 bp, a class of mutation not usually associated with tumors with defective DNA mismatch repair. To determine the significance of this high frequency of deletion, 26 additional endometrial cancers without MSI were matched with the 39 MSI-positive cancers for the prognostic factors of tumor histology, stage, grade, and patient race. The MSI-positive tumors had a significantly higher frequency of deletions involving >/=3 bp when compared with the MSI-negative group (5/11 versus 0/10, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat tract mutation in PTEN is an uncommon event in MSI-positive cancers. Deletion of >/=3 bp in this gene is more common in MSI-positive cancers when compared with tumors without MSI.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

Radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the morbidity, adequacy of surgery, and survival of obese women undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Patients with stage I and IIa cervical cancer and a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m(2) and absolute weight greater than 85 kg explored with the intent for radical hysterectomy between 1986 and 1998 were identified. Patient characteristics, surgical, pathologic, and follow-up data were extracted and survival curves were generated. RESULTS: Forty-eight obese women were identified who were explored for radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. The median BMI was 36 kg/m(2), and the median weight was 95 kg. Thirty-five patients (73%) had stage Ib1 disease. Despite the obesity of the study group, none had severe comorbidity. The procedure was completed in 46 patients, and abandoned in two because of metastatic disease. For patients undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection, median blood loss was 800 mL. No patient developed fistulas. Residual tumor was present in 26 (57%) hysterectomy specimens, and margins were without disease in 45 specimens (98%). A median of 26 pelvic lymph nodes were obtained per procedure, and six patients (13%) had positive nodes. Five-year overall and disease-free survival are 84% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70.9, 97.5) and 80% (95% CI 65.2, 93.8), respectively, at a median follow-up of 36 months. CONCLUSION: In this carefully selected obese group, we demonstrate that radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection can be performed with adequate surgical resection, acceptable morbidity, and excellent survival.

Adult↗