BACKGROUND: Uterine sarcoma is a rare and heterogeneous gynecological malignancy characterized by aggressive progression and poor prognosis. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis of uterine sarcoma in Chinese patients.
METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of 75 patients with histologically verified uterine sarcoma treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi\'an Jiaotong University between 2011 and 2020. Information on clinical characteristics, treatments, pathology and survival was collected. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were visualized in Kaplan-Meier curves. Prognostic factors were identified using the log-rank test for univariate analysis and Cox-proportional hazards regression models for multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: The histopathological types included 36 endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS,48%), 33 leiomyosarcomas (LMS,44%) and 6 adenosarcomas (8%). The mean age at diagnosis was 50.2 ± 10.7 years. Stage I and low-grade accounted for the majority. There were 26 recurrences and 25 deaths at the last follow-up. The mean PFS and OS were 89.41 (95% CI: 76.07-102.75) and 94.03 (95% CI: 81.67-106.38) months, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that > 50 years, post-menopause, advanced stage, ≥ 1/2 myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion and high grade were associated with shorter survival (P < 0.05). Color Doppler flow imaging positive signals were associated with shorter PFS in the LMS group (P = 0.046). The ESS group had longer PFS than that of the LMS group (99.56 vs. 76.05 months, P = 0.043). The multivariate analysis showed that post-menopause and advanced stage were independent risk factors of both PFS and OS in the total cohort and LMS group. In the ESS group, diagnosis age > 50 years and high-grade were independent risk factors of PFS, while high-grade and lymphovascular space invasion were independent risk factors of OS.
CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese patients with uterine sarcoma, post-menopause and advanced stage were associated with a significantly poorer prognosis. The prognosis of ESS was better than that of LMS. Color Doppler flow imaging positive signals of the tumor helped to identify LMS, which needs to be further tested in a larger sample in the future.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is an extremely rare variant of gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (GTNs). The biological behavior and therapeutic schedule of ETT remains to be defined which frequently poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Although ETT is a relatively indolent malignancy tumor, the therapeutic efficacy and survival rate decrease significantly when presented with metastases. The lung is the most common site of ETT metastasis.
METHODS: A 39-year-old female patient presented with irregular vaginal bleeding and slight distention pain in lower abdomen.
METHODS: The patient was diagnosed ETT with lung metastasis after surgery and immunohistochemical staining.
METHODS: A total abdominal hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingectomy and histopathology were performed. The patient received 3 cycles of etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin-D/etoposide, cisplatin (EMA/EP) regimen chemotherapy after surgery. Due to the presence of lung metastasis, she received pulmonary lesion resection and another cycle of postoperative chemotherapy.
RESULTS: The patients showed a good response to treatment initially. However, the patient did not complete the full initial treatment for family reasons and had signs of recurrence after 2.5 months. The serum β-hCG level gradually elevated and the lung imaging showed that the lesion area gradually expanded. After 15 months of follow-up, the patient declined further treatment due to a lack of presenting symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of ETT should be taken into consideration in patients with abnormal vaginal bleeding and low levels of β-hCG. Patients with metastatic disease should be treated with complete surgical resection and intensive combination chemotherapy to maximize the opportunity for cure. Targeted biological agents might be potential therapeutic strategies for chemotherapy-resistant or recurrent patients.

To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, surgical treatment and prognosis of uterine tumors similar to ovarian sex cord tumors (UTROSCT). The clinical data, surgical approach, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features of 7 cases of UTROSCTs were retrospectively reviewed and followed up. All 4 patients were premenopausal women. The most common clinical presentation was menorrhagia (n = 4) followed by postmenopausal lower abdominal mass (n = 2) and postmenopausal bleeding (n = 1). Gynecological ultrasonography suggested uterine fibroids in 4 cases, adenomyosis with uterine fibroids in 2 cases, and an intrauterine mass in 1 case. Pelvic MRI was performed preoperatively in only 2 cases, and both indicated uterine fibroid degeneration, including 1 patient with suspected malignancy. Preoperative serum tumor markers were measured in 6 patients, and only 1 patient had elevated CA125 levels, up to 158 U/mL. Total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy or salpingectomy was the most common treatment pattern (n = 6). The tumors were located within the myometrium (n = 4), submucosa (n = 1), and isthmus to external cervical os (n = 1), with a range of 2 to 12 (mean = 8) cm. Edema and degeneration were observed in 2 cases, and necrosis in 1 case. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 31 to 82 (mean = 43) months. Unfortunately, 1 patient died at 54 months of follow-up without undergoing hysterectomy. The remaining 6 cases showed no tumor recurrence or metastasis after surgery. Histological examination revealed a tumor composed of epithelioid tumor-like cells arranged in cords, trabeculae, and nests. All 7 tumors showed expression of 2 sex cord differentiation markers. Furthermore, all tumors expressed the smooth muscle marker, while epithelial marker CK (4/7). endometrial stromal marker CD10(0/7). The Ki-67 proliferation index was found to be <5% (5/7). The option of total hysterectomy may be considered for women who do not have any fertility requirements. However, for young women who desire to maintain their reproductive capacity, surgery to preserve the uterus may be an alternative, although it necessitates careful postoperative monitoring. In terms of follow-up monitoring, MRI is more suitable than ultrasound. The diagnosis of UTROSCT heavily relies on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis.

BACKGROUND: Observational data indicates a connection between emotional discomfort, such as anxiety and depression, and uterine fibroids (UFs). However, additional investigation is required to establish the causal relationship between them. Hence, we assessed the reciprocal causality between four psychological disorders and UFs utilizing two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).
METHODS: To evaluate the causal relationship between four types of psychological distress (depressive symptoms, severe depression, anxiety or panic attacks, mood swings) and UFs, bidirectional two-sample MR was employed, utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with these conditions. Both univariate MR (UVMR) and multivariate MR (MVMR) primarily applied inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the method for estimating potential causal effects. Complementary approaches such as MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were utilized to validate the findings. To assess the robustness of our MR results, we conducted sensitivity analyses using Cochran\'s Q-test and the MR Egger intercept test.
RESULTS: The results of our UVMR analysis suggest that genetic predispositions to depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.563, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.209-2.021, P = 0.001) and major depressive disorder (MDD) (OR = 1.176, 95% CI = 1.044-1.324, P = 0.007) are associated with an increased risk of UFs. Moreover, the IVW model showed a nominally significant positive correlation between mood swings (OR: 1.578; 95% CI: 1.062-2.345; P = 0.024) and UFs risk. However, our analysis did not establish a causal relationship between UFs and the four types of psychological distress. Even after adjusting for confounders like body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, and number of live births in the MVMR, the causal link between MDD and UFs remained significant (OR = 1.217, 95% CI = 1.039-1.425, P = 0.015).
CONCLUSIONS: Our study presents evidence supporting the causal relationship between genetic susceptibility to MDD and the incidence of UFs. These findings highlight the significance of addressing psychological health issues, particularly depression, in both the prevention and treatment of UFs.

Pelvic masses frequently originate from the pelvic cavity and are often associated with uterine, ovarian, or intestinal disorders. This report describes the case of a patient with a pelvic mass diagnosed as a retroperitoneal dermoid cyst at our hospital. We analyzed this case and conducted a literature review, to mitigate the risk of misdiagnosis and enhance the treatment of retroperitoneal masses.

UNASSIGNED: To investigate the long-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) for multiple uterine fibroids and the factors associated with recurrence.
UNASSIGNED: Five hundred and forty-nine patients with multiple uterine fibroids treated with USgHIFU from June 2017 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) was used to assess menstrual blood loss. The patients were asked to undergo pre- and post-USgHIFU magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and complete routine follow-up after USgHIFU. Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors associated with recurrence.
UNASSIGNED: The median number of fibroids per patient was 3 (interquartile range: 3-4), and a total of 1371 fibroids were treated. Among them, 446 patients completed 3 years follow-up. Recurrence, defined as PBAC score above or equal to 100 and/or the residual fibroid volume increased by 10%, was detected in 90 patients within 3 years after USgHIFU, with a cumulative recurrence rate of 20.2% (90/446). The multi-factor Cox analysis showed that age was a protective factor for recurrence. Younger patients have a greater chance of recurrence than older patients. Mixed hyperintensity of fibroids on T2WI and treatment intensity were risk factors for recurrence. Patients with hyperintense uterine fibroids and treated with lower treatment intensity were more likely to experience recurrence than other patients after USgHIFU. No major adverse effects occurred.
UNASSIGNED: USgHIFU can be used to treat multiple uterine fibroids safely and effectively. The age, T2WI signal intensity and treatment intensity are factors related to recurrence.

UNASSIGNED: To investigate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation (HIFU) as a preoperative treatment for challenging hysteroscopic myomectomies.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 75 patients diagnosed with types 0-III of uterine fibroids were enrolled. Based on the Size, Topography, Extension of the base, Penetration and lateral Wall position (STEPW) classification scoring system, 25 cases with a score ≥ 5 points were treated with HIFU followed by hysteroscopic myomectomy (HIFU + HM group), whereas 50 cases with a score < 5 points were treated with hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM group).
UNASSIGNED: The median preoperative STEPW score was 7 in the HIFU + HM group and 2 in the HM group. The average non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio achieved in fibroids after HIFU was 86.87%. Patients in the HIFU + HM group underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy one to four days after HIFU, and downgrading was observed in 81.81% of fibroids. The operation time for patients in the HIFU + HM group was 73 min and the success rate of myomectomy in a single attempt was 60%. The volume of distention medium used during the operation was greater in the HIFU + HM group than in the HM group (15,500 ml vs. 7500 ml). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, menstrual volume score, or uterine fibroid quality of life score.
UNASSIGNED: HIFU can be utilized as a preoperative treatment for large submucosal fibroids prior to hysteroscopic myomectomy. HIFU offers a novel approach in the management of this subset of patients.

We herein report a rare case of simultaneous intrauterine molar pregnancy and tubal pregnancy. A woman of childbearing age who had never been pregnant underwent an ultrasound examination 70 days after the onset of menopause. She had a history of ovulation induction. The ultrasound findings suggested a partial hydatidiform mole. She was then pathologically confirmed to have a complete hydatidiform mole after uterine suction dilation and curettage. On postoperative day 4, an ultrasound examination before discharge showed an inhomogeneous mass in the left adnexal region with mild lower abdominal pain. On postoperative day 17, the blood human chorionic gonadotropin level did not drop as expected, and a follow-up examination still indicated a mass in the left adnexal region. We were unable to rule out an ectopic hydatidiform mole. Hysteroscopy with laparoscopic exploration of the left adnexal mass and salpingotomy suggested a diagnosis of intrauterine hydatidiform mole combined with left tubal pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the effect of pelvic floor function exercise on the improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with uterine fibroid surgery.
METHODS: The clinical data of 188 patients who underwent uterine fibroid surgery in our hospital from February 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the nursing methods recorded in the data. The observation group received targeted nursing combined with pelvic floor function exercise based on routine intervention. General demographic data, disease and surgery-related characteristics of the patients were collected. Propensity score matching was used to balance the baseline data of the two groups. Lower urinary tract symptoms, pelvic floor function, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life were compared between the two groups after matching.
RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were included in the two groups, and their baseline data were not statistically significant. At 3 months after the operation, the total incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms in the observation group (10.77%) was lower than that in the control group (30.77%, p < 0.05). Before the intervention, the pelvic floor function, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life scores of the two groups were basically the same (p > 0.05). At 3 months after the operation, the pelvic floor function score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, but the pelvic floor muscle strength index and quality of life score of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Targeted nursing combined with pelvic floor function exercise for patients with uterine fibroids surgery can prevent the occurrence of lower urinary tract symptoms and improve the pelvic floor function, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life of patients and is thus worthy of promotion.

Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly prescribed as the initial treatment for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), but MTX monotherapy may not be effective for high-risk GTN and choriocarcinoma. The cellular uptake of MTX is essential for its pharmacological activity. Thus, our study aimed to investigate the cellular pharmacokinetics and transport mechanisms of MTX in choriocarcinoma cells. For the quantification of MTX concentrations in cellular matrix, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was created and confirmed initially. MTX accumulation in BeWo, JEG-3, and JAR cells was minimal. Additionally, the mRNA levels of folate receptor α (FRα) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) were relatively high in the three choriocarcinoma cell lines, whereas proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT), reduced folate carrier (RFC), and organic anion transporter (OAT) 4 were low. Furthermore, the expression of other transporters was either very low or undetectable. Notably, the application of inhibitors and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting FRα, RFC, and PCFT led to a notable decrease in the accumulation of MTX in BeWo cells. Conversely, the co-administration of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and BCRP inhibitors increased MTX accumulation. In addition, inhibitors of OATs and organic-anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) reduced MTX accumulation, while peptide transporter inhibitors had no effect. Results from siRNA knockdown experiments and transporter overexpression cell models indicated that MTX was not a substrate of nucleoside transporters. In conclusion, the results indicate that FRα and multiple transporters such as PCFT, RFC, OAT4, and OATPs are likely involved in the uptake of MTX, whereas MDR1 and BCRP are implicated in the efflux of MTX from choriocarcinoma cells. These results have implications for predicting transporter-mediated drug interactions and offer potential directions for further research on enhancing MTX sensitivity.