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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2020Adjuvant tamoxifen reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence in women with oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen also increases the risk of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Adjuvant tamoxifen reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence in women with oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen also increases the risk of postmenopausal bleeding, endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) causes profound endometrial suppression. This systematic review considered the evidence that the LNG-IUS prevents the development of endometrial pathology in women taking tamoxifen as adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness and safety of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in pre- and postmenopausal women taking adjuvant tamoxifen following breast cancer for the outcomes of endometrial and uterine pathology including abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting, and secondary breast cancer events.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following databases on 29 June 2020; The Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group specialised register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group specialised register on 4 March 2020. We also searched two trials registers, checked references for relevant trials and contacted study authors and experts in the field to identify additional studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of women with breast cancer on adjuvant tamoxifen that compared the effectiveness of the LNG-IUS with endometrial surveillance versus endometrial surveillance alone on the incidence of endometrial pathology.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. The primary outcome measure was endometrial pathology (including polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, or endometrial cancer), diagnosed at hysteroscopy or endometrial biopsy. Secondary outcome measures included fibroids, abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting, breast cancer recurrence, and breast cancer-related deaths. We rated the overall certainty of evidence using GRADE methods.
MAIN RESULTS
We included four RCTs (543 women analysed) in this review. We judged the certainty of the evidence to be moderate for all of the outcomes, due to imprecision (i.e. limited sample sizes and low event rates). In the included studies, the active treatment arm was the 20 μg/day LNG-IUS plus endometrial surveillance; the control arm was endometrial surveillance alone. In tamoxifen users, the LNG-IUS probably reduces the incidence of endometrial polyps compared to the control group over both a 12-month period (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.64, I² = 0%; 2 RCTs, n = 212; moderate-certainty evidence) and over a long-term follow-up period (24 to 60 months) (Peto OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.39; I² = 0%; 4 RCTs, n = 417; moderate-certainty evidence). For long-term follow-up, this suggests that if the incidence of endometrial polyps following endometrial surveillance alone is assumed to be 23.5%, the incidence following LNG-IUS with endometrial surveillance would be between 3.8% and 10.7%. The LNG-IUS probably slightly reduces the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia compared with controls over a long-term follow-up period (24 to 60 months) (Peto OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.67; I² = 0%; 4 RCTs, n = 417; moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the chance of endometrial hyperplasia following endometrial surveillance alone is assumed to be 2.8%, the chance following LNG-IUS with endometrial surveillance would be between 0.1% and 1.9%. However, it should be noted that there were only six cases of endometrial hyperplasia. There was insufficient evidence to reach a conclusion regarding the incidence of endometrial cancer in tamoxifen users, as no studies reported cases of endometrial cancer. At 12 months of follow-up, the LNG-IUS probably increases abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting compared to the control group (Peto OR 7.26, 95% CI 3.37 to 15.66; I² = 0%; 3 RCTs, n = 376; moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the chance of abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting following endometrial surveillance alone is assumed to be 1.7%, the chance following LNG-IUS with endometrial surveillance would be between 5.6% and 21.5%. By 24 months of follow-up, abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting occurs less frequently than at 12 months of follow-up, but is still more common in the LNG-IUS group than the control group (Peto OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.04 to 7.10; I² = 0%; 2 RCTs, n = 233; moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the chance of abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting following endometrial surveillance alone is assumed to be 4.2%, the chance following LNG-IUS with endometrial surveillance would be between 4.4% and 23.9%. By 60 months of follow-up, there were no cases of abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting in either group. The numbers of events for the following outcomes were low: fibroids (n = 13), breast cancer recurrence (n = 18), and breast cancer-related deaths (n = 16). As a result, there is probably little or no difference in these outcomes between the LNG-IUS treatment group and the control group. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The LNG-IUS probably slightly reduces the incidence of benign endometrial polyps and endometrial hyperplasia in women with breast cancer taking tamoxifen. At 12 and 24 months of follow-up, the LNG-IUS probably increases abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting among women in the treatment group compared to those in the control. Data were lacking on whether the LNG-IUS prevents endometrial cancer in these women. There is no clear evidence from the available RCTs that the LNG-IUS affects the risk of breast cancer recurrence or breast cancer-related deaths. Larger studies are necessary to assess the effects of the LNG-IUS on the incidence of endometrial cancer, and to determine whether the LNG-IUS might have an impact on the risk of secondary breast cancer events.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Confidence Intervals; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Endometrial Hyperplasia; Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; Levonorgestrel; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Polyps; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tamoxifen; Uterine Hemorrhage; Uterus
PubMed: 33348436
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007245.pub4 -
Climacteric : the Journal of the... Aug 2020Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is a relevant aspect for health-care providers in clinical practice: the first objective is to rule out potential gynecological cancer. The... (Review)
Review
Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is a relevant aspect for health-care providers in clinical practice: the first objective is to rule out potential gynecological cancer. The purpose of this narrative review is to evaluate the role of office hysteroscopy in the management of PMB. Office hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure allowing direct visualization of uterine pathology without the need for general anesthesia and the use of an operating room, generating cost savings and greater compliance among patients. Here, we focus on major intrauterine diseases (polyps, submucosal myomas, endometrial hyperplasia, and cancer) as causes of PMB. Office hysteroscopy appears to be safe and feasible, and could allow accurate diagnosis of intrauterine pathologies, especially that with a focal growth pattern, otherwise misdiagnosed with blinded procedures. However, studies focusing exclusively on postmenopausal women are still few, so further research, especially randomized controlled trials, is needed.
Topics: Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Diagnosis, Differential; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Uterine Hemorrhage
PubMed: 32368939
DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1754389 -
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine :... Jun 2021To explore the diagnostic value of time-intensity curve parameters from contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations of endometrial lesions.
OBJECTIVES
To explore the diagnostic value of time-intensity curve parameters from contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations of endometrial lesions.
METHODS
Fifty-two patients with suspected endometrial lesions who received vaginal CEUS examinations were divided into a polyp group (n = 36), a malignant group (n = 11), and a normal control group (n = 5) based on the pathologic diagnosis. The midpoint of the myometrium at the same depth as the endometrial lesion was used as the reference point. The initial increase time, time to peak, area under the curve, and peak intensity were determined by the time-intensity curve. The relative parameters, namely, the initial increase time difference, peak time difference, area ratio, and peak intensity ratio, were also calculated and analyzed statistically.
RESULTS
The comparison results of the relative parameters among the groups showed that the differences in the time difference, intensity ratio, and area ratio were statistically significant. The differences in the intensity ratio and time difference between the malignant and normal groups were statistically significant (P < .001). The differences in the intensity ratio, area ratio, and time difference between the malignant and polyp groups were statistically significant (P < .001). The diagnostic value of the intensity ratio and area ratio was confirmed by a receiver operating characteristic curve. The sensitivity and specificity of the intensity ratio and area ratio in the groups were 100% and 77.5% and 85.7% and 85.0%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The relative CEUS parameters in endometrial lesions provide more diagnostic value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions than the absolute parameters.
Topics: Contrast Media; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 32930398
DOI: 10.1002/jum.15492 -
Journal of Medical Cases Jan 2023Uterine inversion may be puerperal or non-puerperal. Puerperal uterine inversion is a rare obstetrics complication, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 30,000...
Uterine inversion may be puerperal or non-puerperal. Puerperal uterine inversion is a rare obstetrics complication, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 30,000 deliveries. The occurrence of non-puerperal uterine inversion is even rarer such that there is no good estimate of its incidence. It is challenging to make the diagnosis of non-puerperal uterine inversion and a high index of suspicion needs to be present. Malignancy is an uncommon cause for non-puerperal uterine inversion, but it is important to keep it in mind so as to counsel patients appropriately and prevent repeat surgery wherever possible. There are also unique complexities in the assessment of a virgo intacta patient which needs to be overcome through the use of different approaches in physical examination and imaging. In this case report, there is a unique interplay of multiple complicating factors in a virgo intacta patient presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding secondary to a malignant fibroid polyp that had prolapsed out of the vagina causing uterine inversion. She eventually required two open surgeries in the management of her condition.
PubMed: 36755999
DOI: 10.14740/jmc4023 -
Human Pathology May 2020Fibroepithelial stromal polyps (FESPs) are benign polypoid mesenchymal lesions thought to arise from desmin-positive specialized stromal cells of the female genital...
Fibroepithelial stromal polyps (FESPs) are benign polypoid mesenchymal lesions thought to arise from desmin-positive specialized stromal cells of the female genital tract. Although most cases are easily diagnosed by morphology alone, the morphology of FESPs is variable and in some instances can contain hypercellular stroma with numerous atypical desmin-positive cells, simulating botryoid embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS). Recently, we encountered a cellular FESP showing desmin expression as well as nuclear immunoreactivity for the skeletal muscle-associated transcription factor MyoD1. Although these lesions are widely known to express desmin, there are very few studies examining expression of the more specific markers of skeletal muscle differentiation, myogenin and MyoD1. The aim of our study was to examine desmin, MyoD1, and myogenin expression in a series of 25 FESPs. Of the 25 cases, desmin expression was present in 23 (92%), at least focal MyoD1 expression was present in 10 (40%), and all cases were negative for myogenin. Follow-up data were available for all 25 cases, and none recurred or behaved in a malignant fashion. Awareness of this potential immunohistochemical pitfall and careful morphologic evaluation should allow for the confident distinction of MyoD1-positive FESP from botyroid ERMS in almost all instances.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Middle Aged; MyoD Protein; Neoplasms, Fibroepithelial; Polyps; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Stromal Cells; Vaginal Neoplasms; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 32217091
DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2020.03.006 -
Computational and Mathematical Methods... 2022In order to explore the ability of vaginal ultrasound combined with bleeding pattern to predict factors related to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), a total of 205...
In order to explore the ability of vaginal ultrasound combined with bleeding pattern to predict factors related to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), a total of 205 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were selected as experimental subjects. According to the corresponding diagnostic criteria, patients were divided into the endometrial polyp group (56 cases), endometrial hyperplasia and canceration group (84 cases), and normal cycle endometrial group (65 cases). The efficiency of the method was determined by comparing the prediction efficiency of the single/joint model. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the body mass index, dysmenorrhea, endometrial thickness, diabetes, hypertension, and polycystic ovary syndrome among the three groups, < 0.05. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Youden index of endometrial polyp diagnosis were 86.89%, 88.12%, 83.54%, 90.11%, and 0.74, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and JordAn index in diagnosing endometrial hyperplasia and canceration were 96.71%, 98.40%, 96.54%, 98.24%, and 0.96, respectively. In summary, the body mass index, dysmenorrhea, endometrial thickness, diabetes, hypertension, and polycystic ovary syndrome were related factors, and the combination of vaginal ultrasound and bleeding pattern had a stronger predictive power for abnormal uterine bleeding.
Topics: Dysmenorrhea; Endometrial Hyperplasia; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Polyps; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography; Uterine Hemorrhage; Uterine Neoplasms
PubMed: 35799665
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5653250 -
Acta Medica Lituanica 2021This is the first case describing vaginal papillomatosis with a fibroepithelial polyp of the vulva in a prepubertal girl and vaginal papillomatosis in her twin sister....
This is the first case describing vaginal papillomatosis with a fibroepithelial polyp of the vulva in a prepubertal girl and vaginal papillomatosis in her twin sister. Parents contacted pediatric urologist regarding their eight-year-old daughter (twin A), who had a growth next to the external urethral meatus. The girl was referred to a pediatric surgeon. The exophytic 3 cm long structure with necrosis on top was found. After obtaining informed consent from girl parents, pediatric surgeon removed the exophytic structure and perform cystoscopy and vaginoscopy for possible changes in the bladder and vagina. Cystoscopy findings were normal. On vaginoscopy, numerous macroscopic papillomatous structures were identified on the cervix and vaginal walls. Vaginal biopsies were performed on the areas affected by papillomatosis. Histopathologic examination showed a fibroepithelial polyp with a central fibrovascular core covered by squamous epithelium and vaginal squamous papillomatosis. The decision was made to perform vaginoscopy on her twin sister (twin B), too. On vaginoscopy, solitary small vaginal papillomas were also found. In this case manifestation of vaginal papillomatosis in twins might have been influenced by inheritance and the same bacterial and viral environment.
PubMed: 35474933
DOI: 10.15388/Amed.2021.28.2.18 -
BJR Case Reports Mar 2022A fibroepithelial stromal polyp is a benign soft tissue tumour that can occur in the vagina, vulva and uterine cervix. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings have...
A fibroepithelial stromal polyp is a benign soft tissue tumour that can occur in the vagina, vulva and uterine cervix. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings have been reported in patients with vulvar fibroepithelial stromal polyps, not in those with vaginal polyps. We present MRI findings of vaginal fibroepithelial stromal polyp in a postmenopausal female. A 1 to 2 cm firm vaginal mass arising from the left side of the vaginal wall with hypointense signal changes on T1W MRI was identified. A well-defined vaginal mass (1 cm diameter) was detected with inhomogeneous signal intensity on T2W images. However, a major portion had high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted images. A benign vaginal lesion with oedematous changes or myxoid degeneration was suspected. Vaginal resection was performed, and fibroepithelial stromal polyp was pathologically diagnosed. MRI may be a useful non-invasive modality for preoperatively diagnosing vaginal fibroepithelial stromal polyps.
PubMed: 36177268
DOI: 10.1259/bjrcr.20210189 -
Cureus Aug 2019Endometrial polyps are a common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding and infertility, which can be identified with different imaging methods. A lack of distention of the...
Endometrial polyps are a common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding and infertility, which can be identified with different imaging methods. A lack of distention of the endometrial cavity is not a common presentation of endometrial polyps and is associated with endometrial carcinoma. In this article, we present a case of a 30-year-old patient with previous history of infertility and abnormal vaginal bleeding. During a hysterosalpingography (HSG), we were not able to distend the endometrial cavity. Therefore, we performed a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and a pelvic magnetic resonance study, which showed an obstructive endometrial polyp adjacent to the internal cervical os. This structure was successfully removed through hysteroscopy by the gynecology department.
PubMed: 31620313
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.5385 -
The Canadian Veterinary Journal = La... Jul 2022A 6-year-old, intact female, domestic short-hair cat had a 3-month history of obstipation. On physical examination and diagnostic imaging, megacolon secondary to a...
A 6-year-old, intact female, domestic short-hair cat had a 3-month history of obstipation. On physical examination and diagnostic imaging, megacolon secondary to a large, intrapelvic vaginal mass was diagnosed. An ovariohysterectomy and a complete vaginectomy a ventral midline celiotomy and bilateral pubic and ischial osteotomies were performed. This approach allowed excellent exposure of the entire genital tract necessary to excise the large vaginal mass. The mass was histologically diagnosed as a vaginal fibrous stromal polyp. Obstipation resolved 12 h after surgery. On radiographic recheck 11 d after surgery, the colon had returned to normal size. No major surgical complications were observed. This is the first case report of a complete vaginectomy the ventral approach with a pelvic osteotomy in a cat. Furthermore, this report describes the different surgical techniques used in animals affected by a large vaginal mass and provides evidence that an aggressive surgical approach and excision can be considered for the management of extensive intrapelvic vaginal masses in cats.
Topics: Abdomen; Animals; Cats; Colpotomy; Constipation; Female; Hysterectomy; Osteotomy; Pregnancy; Pubic Bone
PubMed: 35784779
DOI: No ID Found