PubMed · 16504754
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C O Granai. 2006. All by itself.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.01.043
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Signs and symptoms of endometriosis are nonspecific, and an acceptably accurate noninvasive diagnostic test has yet to be reported. Serum markers do not provide adequate diagnostic accuracy. The preferred method for diagnosis of endometriosis is surgical visual inspection of pelvic organs with histologic confirmation. Such diagnosis requires an experienced surgeon because the varied appearance of the disease allows less-obvious lesions to be overlooked. Empiric use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen is a reasonable symptomatic treatment, but the effectiveness of these agents has not been well-studied. Oral contraceptive pills, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and intrauterine levonorgestrel are relatively effective for pain relief. Danazol and various gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues also are effective but may have significant side effects. There is limited evidence that surgical ablation of endometriotic deposits may decrease pain and increase fertility rates in women with endometriosis. Presacral neurectomy is particularly beneficial in women with midline pelvic pain. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy definitively treat pain from endometriosis at 10 years in 90 percent of patients.
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OBJECTIVE: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels have been shown to be associated with an adverse outcome in patients with ovarian cancer. We studied the clinical value of serum VEGF as an independent prognostic parameter. METHODS: In the present study, we ascertained preoperative serum VEGF in a series of 314 patients with ovarian cancer: 45 new cases and 269 from four previously published studies. Serum VEGF was evaluated prior to primary surgery, results were correlated with clinical data. RESULTS: Median serum VEGF was 407 (238-746) pg/mL. In a univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis, FIGO stage, residual tumor mass, tumor grade, patients' age, serum CA 125, and preoperative serum VEGF were associated with overall survival. In a multivariate Cox regression model, higher FIGO stage, presence of residual tumor mass after primary surgery, and higher serum VEGF were independently associated with a shortened overall survival. Planned subgroup analysis was performed for patients with ovarian cancer FIGO stage I. In a multivariate Cox regression model, higher tumor grade and higher serum VEGF were the only independent prognosticators for overall survival. Patients with FIGO stage I ovarian cancer and a serum VEGF > or = 380 pg/mL had an 8-fold increased risk for experiencing cancer-related death. CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF is an independent prognostic parameter in patients with all stages of ovarian cancer.