abstract: Mucinous carcinomas of the ovary and colorectum: different organ, same dilemma : The Lancet Oncology

Mucinous carcinomas of the ovary and colorectum: different organ, same dilemma

Dr Linda E Kelemen ScD a d , Martin Köbel MD b c

Summary

Mucinous carcinomas are uncommon histological types that affect several organ sites. 

 

Primary mucinous carcinomas of the ovary are distinct from other ovarian carcinoma types, but they can pose a particular challenge for correct diagnosis from metastases, which most usually originate from the colorectum. 

 

Correct diagnosis is the mainstay of treatment, because standard practice states that protocols are tailored to the primary organ site. Little is known of mutational alterations in primary and metastatic mucinous carcinomas of the ovary, and few markers exist that can discriminate between them. 

 

We reviewed commonalities between ovarian and colorectal mucinous carcinomas with respect to aetiology, molecular alterations, differential diagnosis, and implications for treatment. 

 

Although primary mucinous carcinomas of the ovary and colorectum share similar mutational patterns and unfavourable outcomes at advanced stage, compared with their non-mucinous counterparts, important differences exist with respect to mucin localisation and specific molecular alterations.  

 

Technologies—eg, next-generation sequencing—could aid identification of additional driver molecular changes that will help clarify the relation between mucinous carcinomas from different organ sites. Perhaps, then, we can consider moving towards testing and adoption of therapeutic approaches tailored to molecular characteristics of mucinous carcinomas, irrespective of organ site, so patients' survival can be optimised.

abstract: Mitochondrial DNA genotyping reveals synchronous nature of simultaneously detected endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Abstract

Simultaneous independent primary tumors of the female genital tract occur in 1-2% of gynecological cancer patients, 50-70% of which are synchronous tumors of the endometrium and ovary. 

Guidelines for determining the nature of simultaneously detected tumors, based on surgical and histopathological findings, are often ambiguous and may require further molecular analyses.

Such approach is necessary to indicate correct prognosis and hence treatment.

We here demonstrate how mitochondrial DNA sequencing may provide a cheap and useful tool to contribute to indisputably recognize the synchronous nature of simultaneously detected endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. We further confirm our findings by means of Comparative Genomic Hybridization array analysis, which strengthens the informative potential of mitochondrial DNA genotyping in diagnosing synchrony.

abstract: Effects of bevacizumab and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for the patients with recurrent or refractory ovarian cancers

OBJECTIVES:
Currently, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is regarded as one of the standard treatment options in recurrent ovarian cancers (ROC). Bevacizumab has shown significant antitumor activity for ROC in single-agent or in combination with cytotoxic agents. We have conducted a preliminary study to investigate effects of combination of bevacizumab and PLD for heavily pretreated patients with ROC.

CONCLUSION:
The present investigation suggested that combination therapy with bevacizumab and PLD was active and well tolerated for patients with ROC. We recommend the regimen be evaluated in further clinical studies.

abstract: Cost-effectiveness of combination versus sequential docetaxel and carboplatin for the treatment of platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer

CONCLUSIONS:

Combined weekly cDC (concurrent docetaxel and carboplatin) appeared to be cost-effective compared with sDC (sequential docetaxel and carboplatin ) as treatment strategy for patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, even when accounting for slightly lower QoL during treatment.

abstract: Feasibility of a lifestyle intervention for ovarian cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention for promoting physical activity (PA) and diet quality during adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

METHODS:

Patients were enrolled post-operatively and received PA and nutrition counseling, at every chemotherapy visit for six cycles. Quality of life (QoL) was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G), PA with the Leisure Score Index (LSI), dietary intake with 3-day food records, and symptom severity/distress by the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). Pedometer step count was collected during chemotherapy cycles.

RESULTS:

Recruitment was 73% with 27 patients enrolled. Mean [95% confidence interval] change in minutes of PA from cycle #3 to following cycle #6 was 61min [-3, 120] p=0.063, and from baseline to after cycle #6 was 73min [-10, 15]; p=0.082. Mean change in total fruit and vegetable consumption between baseline and during chemotherapy was 0.56 [-0.09, 0.64]; p=0.090. FACT-G increased from 75.4 at baseline to 77.6 during chemotherapy and 83.9 following chemotherapy (p=0.001 for change from baseline to post-chemotherapy).


Mean total MSAS ( Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale) score was 20.6 at baseline, 26.6 at cycle #3 and decreased to 17.0 following chemotherapy (p=0.01 comparison of cycle #3 and following chemotherapy). Increased moderate to strenuous PA was correlated with higher physical well-being during chemotherapy (r=0.48, p=0.037).

CONCLUSIONS:

Lifestyle counseling during adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is feasible and may improve PA and diet quality. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of lifestyle counseling on quality of life and treatment outcomes in ovarian cancer patients are warranted.

Editorial - no abstract/pay-per-view: - Gynecologic Oncology : More than a biomarker: CA125 may contribute to ovarian cancer pathogenesis

Abstract

Gynecologic Oncology
Volume 121, Issue 3, 1 June 2011, Pages 429-430

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Editorial

More than a biomarker: CA125 may contribute to ovarian cancer pathogenesis

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Robert C. Bast Jr.^{a, ,} and David R. Spriggs^b

^a Department of Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
^b Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA

Available online 19 May 2011.

References

Corresponding author. Unit 1439, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Fax: +1 713 792 7864.

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Copyright © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.

abstract: Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) to protect from oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity without compromising antitumour effect

CONCLUSIONS:

Administration of pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) , at concentrations extending across possible therapeutic plasma levels in humans, does not antagonise OHP (Oxaliplatin) antitumour effects in a range of relevant tumour cell lines.

This study provides a foundation for clinical studies to test whether pyridoxine can minimise OHP-related neurotoxicity, and clinicians can be confident that pyridoxine is very unlikely to reverse the antitumour effects of OHP, as seems to be the case with Ca/Mg infusions.

This could prove to be a cost-effective way to minimise OHP-related neurotoxicity, allowing more effective less toxic treatment and better outcomes in patients.

Women of Teal: Today was All About Cancer Research in NJ

abstract: Reducing Time to Diagnosis Does Not Improve Outcomes for Women With Symptomatic Ovarian Cancer: A Report From the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group

Abstract

Purpose To determine if time to diagnosis is associated with stage of disease at diagnosis or survival among women with symptomatic ovarian cancer..........

Conclusion The results of this study suggest that, once ovarian cancer is symptomatic, reducing the time to diagnosis would not greatly alter stage of disease at diagnosis or survival.