Ovarian cancer is among the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to a lack of effective screening tools. Recent studies suggest that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an indicator of systemic inflammation, may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosing and staging ovarian cancer. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. We searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. We pooled data using a random-effects model to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic performance of PLR in ovarian cancer. The meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising 5740 participants showed significantly elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values in ovarian cancer patients compared to healthy controls, with a mean difference of 46.84 (p < 0.001). Additionally, PLR demonstrated utility in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions and early-stage from advanced-stage ovarian cancer. While PLR shows potential as a cost-effective and accessible biomarker for ovarian cancer diagnosis and staging, its diagnostic accuracy remains moderate. Therefore, combining PLR with other diagnostic tools enhances clinical decision-making.
Peritoneal inclusion cysts (PICs) are benign multilocular cysts that consist of fluid localized between intraperitoneal adhesions. They usually present in women in the third and fourth decades of life with a history of prior pelvic or abdominal surgery, especially months to 20 years ago. PICs have low mortality and the potential for high morbidity. Transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler has an important role in the differential diagnosis. Also, a very important role is played by CA 125 plasma level or use of the ROMA algorithm. But thanks to laparoscopy and the possibility of biopsy from suspicious lesions the correct diagnosis can be established. Treatment of PICs depends individually on the patient’s condition, symptoms, other diseases, and desire for procreation. Among other contemplated are hormonal oral contraceptive, an image-guided aspiration, minimally invasive or open surgery. The issue of diagnosis and treatment of PICs requires the continuation of multicentre, randomized clinical trials to find and standardize effective, personalized treatments for PICs. Peritoneal inclusion cysts (PICs) are benign multilocular cysts that consist of fluid localized between intraperitoneal adhesions. They usually present in women in the third and fourth decades of life with a history of prior pelvic or abdominal surgery, especially months to 20 years ago. PICs have low mortality and the potential for high morbidity. Transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler has an important role in the differential diagnosis. Also, a very important role is played by CA 125 plasma level or use of the ROMA algorithm. But thanks to laparoscopy and the possibility of biopsy from suspicious lesions the correct diagnosis can be established. Treatment of PICs depends individually on the patient’s condition, symptoms, other diseases, and desire for procreation. Among other contemplated are hormonal oral contraceptive, an image-guided aspiration, minimally invasive or open surgery. The issue of diagnosis and treatment of PICs requires the continuation of multicentre, randomized clinical trials to find and standardize effective, personalized treatments for PICs.
This review presents current knowledge on the surgical treatment of endometrial cancer in young patients. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in Europe. Higher morbidity is correlated with obesity, hypertension and diabetes, which are growing worldwide. However, endometrial cancer at an early age is very rare. The first line of treatment for this cancer is radical hysterectomy, which is controversial in young women. There is an alternative method of fertility-sparing treatment. However, there is a group of young patients for whom surgical treatment is recommended. According to European guidelines, minimally invasive surgery is recommended for endometrial cancer. The aim of the study was to present the advantages of robotic surgery for endometrial cancer detected at a young age. The procedure of radical treatment with robot-assisted laparoscopy is more precise. Better visualization and stabilization of instruments allow a shorter procedure time, a brief hospital stay and fewer complications. Quality of life may be at a similar level. Incisions after trocars are painless and more esthetic than a classical wound. Bilateral adnexectomy in endometrial cancer depends on age, molecular status of the cancer, stage, genetic risk factors and individual decision. Conclusions: Robotic surgery seems to be a better surgical method for endometrial cancer in younger patients.
Background: Lichen sclerosus is the most common nonmalignant vulvar disease with morbidity in postmenopausal age. The first line of treatment is corticosteroid therapy. In case of insufficiency, tacrolimus or pimecrolimus can be provided. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used as alternative way of treatment while symptoms recurrent despite other methods. Methods: the analyzed population of 182 women with diagnosis of lichen sclerosus treated using PDT was divided into three groups: patients with neoplastic disease or intraepithelial neoplasia; those with a positive family history of neoplastic disease; and a control group with no neoplastic disease and no familial history of neoplastic diseases. Results: Reduction of vulvar changes was assessed in the whole vulva in the groups as 21.9%, 21.2% and 21.8%, respectively. The most frequent symptom, itching, was reported to decrease in all groups, 39.3%, 35.5% and 42.5%, respectively. Improvement of quality of life was assessed in 91.3% of the whole group, stabilization of lichen sclerosus in 7.1% and progression in 1.6%. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy gives positive results in most cases. Improvement after PDT is observed in objective vulvoscopic assessment and in subjective patients’ opinions. Neoplastic disease in the past can influence the effectiveness of PDT.
The lack of specific symptoms in ovarian cancer delays onset of the diagnostic process. Hence, most cases are recognized in late stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to confirm the role of Il-6 compared to other markers in diagnosis and survival in ovarian cancer. The database was collected from 13 January 2021 to 15 February 2023. In total, 101 patients with pelvic tumors with a mean age of 57.86 ± 16.39 participated in the study. In every case, CA125, HE4, CEA, CA19-9, Il-6, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin measurements were taken. Patients with ovarian borderline tumor and metastatic ovarian tumors were excluded from further analysis. Statistically significant correlations were found between diagnosis of ovarian cancer and levels of CA125, HE4, CRP, PCT and Il-6. Comparison of Il-6 with other markers revealed that longer overall survival correlated with lower values of Il-6. In the case of a higher concentration of Il-6, OS and PFS were shorter. Sensitivity and specificity of Il-6 in diagnosis of ovarian cancer were 46.8% and 77.8%, respectively, while for CA125, CRP and PCT were 76.6% and 63%; 68% and 57.5%; 36% and 77%, respectively. More investigations are needed to identify the most specific and sensitive marker for ovarian cancer.
Purpose of the Report: Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed in an advanced stage of disease due to the absence of specific symptoms and a lack of sensitive diagnostic methods. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed on prostate cancer cells but can be found in other tumors such as ovarian cancer. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of using 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in detection of ovarian neoplasm before surgical treatment. Patients and Methods: Eight women with mean age of 56.0 ± 16.2 years were included in the study. All patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound followed by CT scan of the chest and abdomen as qualification for surgery. Within a 1-week interval, PET/CT was performed on a Siemens Biograph scanner, 60 minutes after injection of 2 MBq/kg 68Ga-PSMA-11. Results: In 3 cases (37.5%), the 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was positive, whereas histological examination confirmed 2 serous ovarian cancer cases and 1 ovarian borderline tumor. The SUVmax in the serous ovarian cancer was 8.7 and 4.1, and in the borderline ovarian tumor, it was 13.8. No correlation was found between antigen CA-125 level and 68Ga-PSMA expression. Range of tumor SUVmax was not correlated with stage of disease. The remaining 62.5% (5/8) were negative in 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, and histopathology confirmed benign pelvic tumor. Conclusions: The initial experience supports the potential to use 68Ga-PSMA-11 in ovarian cancer to differentiate malignant and benign tumors before surgery. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw (KB/2/A/2018).