Bone metastases from gynecologic malignancies are rare but represent a clinically significant complication associated with severe morbidity and poor prognosis. Increasing use of advanced imaging modalities and improved survival have led to greater detection of skeletal metastases in recent years. To evaluate the clinical characteristics, patterns of skeletal involvement, treatment approaches, and survival outcomes in patients with gynecologic malignancies presenting with bone metastases. This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary cancer centre between January 2021 and December 2025. Institutional records of patients with gynecologic malignancies were reviewed. Patients with radiologically and/or histopathologically confirmed bone metastases were included. Demographic data, clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Among 6814 patients treated for gynecologic malignancies during the study period, 16 patients (0.24
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by Human Papilloma Virus is one of the most prevalent yet preventable cancers in the world. Despite availability of effective vaccines, awareness and uptake of vaccines remain low in India and other low and middle income countries. The vast and extensive antenatal coverage of these countries gives a unique and underutilized opportunity for health education and administration of HPV vaccine in postpartum period. This study was conducted to determine change in awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine and acceptance of HPV vaccine among postpartum women following health education in antepartum period. This study also examined association between demographic characteristics and awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccine. This was a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 1 year. The study enrolled 298 antenatal women aged ≤ 26 years in third trimester. An antepartum questionnaire was administered to them to determine the baseline awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine followed by structured health education on the same. Post delivery, awareness of cervical cancer and HPV vaccine and acceptability of HPV vaccine were assessed using another questionnaire. Participants willing for vaccination were vaccinated before discharge and were followed up 6 months later for second dose. 97.6
To assess the prognostic significance of FIGO 2018 stage IIIC1 cervical cancer in predicting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and to evaluate the impact of nodal and tumor-related characteristics on survival. This retrospective study included 127 patients with biopsy-proven FIGO 2018 stage IIIC1(r) carcinoma cervix treated with radical chemoradiation between 2018 and 2023.Survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methods, and `prognostic factors using Cox proportional hazards regression. On univariateanalysis, local progression was associated with nonsquamous histology (p = 0.012), hydroureteronephrosis (p = 0.021), and nodal size >1 cm (p = 0.012). Nodal progression correlated with nonsquamous histology (p = 0.024), hydroureteronephrosis (p = 0.034), and nodal size >1 cm (p = 0.043). Distantmetastasis correlated with nonsquamous histology (p = 0.049), nodal size >1 cm (p = 0.040), and pelvic sidewall involvement (p = 0.027). Pelvic sidewall involvement reduced 2-year OS (p = 0.039) and PFS (p = 0.004). Hydroureteronephrosis predicted inferior OS (p = 0.0002) and PFS (p = 0.003), while histology affected PFS alone (p = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, hydroureteronephrosis independently predicted OS (p<0.001) and PFS (p = 0.038), while nodal size>1cm (p = 0.043) independently predicted PFS and pelvic side wall was trending towards statistical significance (p= 0.058). FIGO-2018 stage IIIC1 based solely on nodal positivity does not adequately reflect prognostic heterogeneity. Local tumour extent, particularly hydroureteronephrosis and pelvic sidewall involvement, has greater prognostic significance and should be considered in future risk-adapted treatment.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a valuable adjunct to histopathology in the diagnosis, classification, and management of cervical neoplasia. It enhances lesion stratification, identifies tumor subtypes, and supports treatment planning and prognostication. To evaluate the utility of IHC markers in cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in a tertiary care centre in South India particularly, Karnataka. It was a prospective observational study conducted over a period of one year (May 2023–May 2024), involving 62 women with histopathological confirmed cervical cancer or precancerous lesions. IHC markers including p16, p53, p40, p63, ER, vimentin, CK7, and CK20 were assessed. Marker expression patterns were correlated with lesion type and clinical relevance. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common lesion (64.5
Uterine sarcomas are rare tumors of the female genital tract (FGT), accounting for 1
This review synthesizes current research from Irreversible electroporation in Ovarian Cancer regarding the expanding roles of electroporation in ovarian cancer. It addresses how controlled electric fields can overcome late-stage diagnosis, chemoresistance, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The literature on reversible and irreversible electroporation was comprehensively reviewed within Irreversible electroporation in Ovarian Cancer. Advancements across direct tissue ablation, electrochemotherapy, immunotherapy gene delivery, CRISPR-Cas9 somatic mouse modeling, and exosome drug delivery systems were analyzed. The findings from Irreversible electroporation in Ovarian Cancer demonstrate that high-frequency irreversible electroporation and nanosecond pulsed electric fields ablate resilient ovarian cancer-initiating cells and induce apoptosis non-thermally, safeguarding surrounding vital structures. Combining reversible electroporation with low-permeant cytotoxic drugs significantly increases cytotoxicity in cisplatin-resistant cells. Additionally, electroporation serves as an efficient non-viral transfection method to produce mRNA-loaded dendritic cell vaccines and transient CAR-T or CAR-NK therapies. In preclinical settings, in vivo fallopian tube electroporation successfully delivers CRISPR-Cas9 to accurately replicate metastatic disease. However, optimization challenges remain regarding pulse parameters and electrical nuances like bipolar cancellation. Irreversible electroporation has evolved into a vital, non-thermal cornerstone for ovarian cancer therapy and research. While providing a versatile platform for targeted ablation, chemotherapy sensitization, and advanced modeling, larger clinical trials are required to standardize delivery protocols for widespread clinical translation.
Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Despite significant improvements in patient survival over recent decades—largely attributed to advances in screening programs and adjuvant systemic therapies, including chemotherapy and hormone therapy—metastatic recurrence continues to be a major cause of mortality. Proteomics has emerged as a transformative tool in biomedical research, offering new opportunities to identify therapeutic targets and discover novel pathological biomarkers. With its capacity for large-scale, high-throughput analysis, proteomics enables the detection, quantification, and functional characterization of low-abundance proteins. Recent studies emphasize the integration of proteomics with genomics as a crucial step toward the molecular characterization of distinct breast cancer subtypes and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. The exceptional sensitivity and specificity of proteomic technologies for detecting selected biomarkers underscore their potential for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the application of proteomics to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. By synthesizing findings from high-impact studies, it seeks to highlight the current progress in proteomic technologies and their transformative potential in oncology.
Vaginal dilator therapy is essential for the management of vaginal stenosis following pelvic radiotherapy and for treating genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorders. Existing dilators offer no objective feedback, limiting documentation and reducing adherence. To design and develop a thermochromic, silicone-coated vaginal dilator that provides measurable and visual biofeedback during therapy. A structured medical device development framework was employed. Thermosensitive stereolithography-printed cores with pigments transitioning at 28 °C were encapsulated in medical-grade silicone, and permanent engraved depth and diameter scales were added. Dimensional accuracy, surface finish, mechanical integrity, and chromatic responsiveness were evaluated. Device application and features help understand the application in real word. The prototype demonstrated high precision (± 0.05 mm), surface uniformity (Ra < 0.8 μm), consistent colour-change performance, and strong mechanical stability. Integrated scales facilitated quantifiable assessment of insertion depth and diameter. The dual biofeedback mechanism transforms vaginal dilation into a measurable rehabilitation practice. This thermochromic vaginal dilator represents a significant innovation in gynecologic rehabilitation, offering objective feedback, improved user confidence, and the potential to enhance adherence. The device is ready for clinical validation.
Breast tissue markers play a pivotal role in the management and treatment of breast cancers. These markers not only facilitate the accurate monitoring of lesions over time but also support surgical planning. Although there are many types of commercial clips and markers, they are relatively expensive and represent quite a considerable economic burden that warrants other low cost alternatives such as titanium vascular clips. This pilot study explores a novel technique to mark the tumor with titanium clips using coaxial needle under ultrasound guidance aiming to validate the accuracy of the technique. This prospective interventional pilot study was conducted between April 2023 and April 2024. All patients gave informed consent before enrolment in this study. Our study was approved by the Instituitional ethical committee. Patients were included when presenting with unifocal operable breast cancer confirmed by mammogram (stage T1 and T2) hormone receptor positive and subsequently planned for BCS or Mastectomy. Those with inflammatory breast cancer, metastatic disease, prior extensive breast surgery, tumor recurrence, multicentric or multifocal lesions, ECOG performance status > 2 were excluded from this study. Tumor marking done at the time of core biopsy of the lesion. Under aseptic precautions, the patient was positioned supine. A 17G coaxial needle was inserted into the tumor center under ultrasound guidance, and a Ligaclip-200 titanium clip was deployed using the blunt stylet. Placement was confirmed sonographically (hyperechoic reflection). Post-surgery specimen mammography confirmed clip retrieval, and the pathologist verified its location within the tumor during sectioning. Mean age was 51.1 ± 11.1 years. The right breast was involved in 60
Metastasis of breast cancer to genital organs is rare and the ovaries are the most common site of metastasis from extra-genital primary cancer. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the most frequent type of breast cancer causing distant metastasis. A 41-year-old woman with past medical history of right breast invasive lobular carcinoma and breast conservative surgery 3 years before presenting with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Ultrasound showed bilateral solid appearing ORADS 4 masses and endometrial thickening. The endometrial lesion and bilateral adnexal masses did not show significant restriction on the MRI DWI sequences, nor did they exhibit any significant uptake on the PET scan images. Surgical pathology of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy confirmed infiltrating lobular carcinoma in the uterus and both adnexa originating from the breast. Here we are presenting a known case of breast cancer with extensive metastasis to genital organs. It is necessary for radiologists to be informed about the exact previous history of breast cancer, its histopathological subtype, and the extension of the disease when they encounter with a known case of breast cancer patient diagnosed by ovarian masses in imaging. Metastasis from lobular carcinoma of the breast to genital organs can appear low uptake in PET and without restriction on DWI images of MRI due to its infiltrative pattern of involvement. Therefore, PET/CT and MRI are not perfect techniques for rule out metastasis in these patients.
Gynaecological malignancies constitute a major global health burden, with hysterectomy via midline laparotomy remaining a common surgical approach. Effective postoperative analgesia is critical to recovery, yet opioids and neuraxial techniques such as intrathecal morphine (ITM) carry risks of adverse effects. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has emerged as a promising alternative, but comparative evidence in oncologic hysterectomy is limited. In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 38 adult patients undergoing elective laparotomy for gynaecological malignancies were allocated to receive either ITM (200 µg intrathecally; Group M, n = 19) or bilateral ESPB with 20 ml of 0.25
This study explored the lived experiences of women with gynaecological cancer to understand the complex web of concerns they encounter during the treatment process. A qualitative research design was adopted using purposive sampling. Sixteen married women above the age of 21, diagnosed with ovarian, cervical or uterine cancer, were recruited from Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad, India. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to identify emerging themes. The analysis revealed six major themes: lack of awareness of symptoms, cancer as a punishment for past sin, concerns related to the treatment of cancer, family-related-distress, pressure to be resilient, and non-disclosure of the diagnosis. Among these, concerns related to the treatment of cancer comprised three sub-themes, which were side-effects of the treatment, fear of cancer recurrence, and hospital anxiety, while the theme family-related distress included two sub-themes, consisting of worry about children and burden to family. The findings of this study have implications for healthcare professionals working in the field of oncology, as it helps them understand the need to address the psychological issues to improve the quality of life for women undergoing treatment for cancer.
This study aimed to evaluate the agreement and diagnostic performance of self-collected and clinician-collected cervico-vaginal samples for high-risk HPV detection in a hospital-based population. In addition, socio-demographic characteristics and perceived barriers related to cervical health testing were assessed. A cross-sectional hospital-based diagnostic comparison study was conducted among 140 women attending a healthcare facility. Each participant provided paired samples: a self-collected cervico-vaginal sample followed by a clinician-collected sample. All specimens were processed using the Cobas 4800 HPV DNA testing system under identical laboratory conditions. Paired statistical analyses were performed to assess agreement between the two sampling methods. High-risk HPV was detected in 13.6
In Indian women, breast cancer is the most common among all cancers, the leading cause of death. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive among breast cancers and presents considerable treatment challenges due to its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional therapies. In this current study, we investigated the anticancer properties of Dimocarpus longan fruit extract against TNBC cell lines, specifically MDA-MB-231, employing both in-vitro and in-silico methodologies. The cytotoxicity of the fruit extract in TNBC cells was assessed using an in-vitro MTT assay. In-silico molecular docking studies were performed to predict binding affinity and interaction of phytochemicals with the AKT1 protein target. In-silico cytotoxicity was assessed using the CLC-Pred platform. The extract exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ value of 33.20 µg/mL, inducing cell death as evidenced by notable morphological changes. We further analysed the drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic profiles of 17 phytochemicals, with most compounds meeting Lipinski’s Rule of Five and exhibiting moderate oral bioavailability and low predicted toxicity. Molecular docking studies revealed that 2,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene exhibited the strongest binding affinity to AKT1 (− 6.2 kcal/mol), comparable to that of the standard anticancer drug carboplatin. In-silico cytotoxicity assessment using the CLC-Pred platform supported these findings, predicting significant antiproliferative activity of 2,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene against TNBC cell lines. Overall, D. longan fruit extract and its phytochemicals exhibit potent cytotoxic effects against MDA-MB-231 cells and present promising candidates for further development in TNBC therapy.
Krukenberg tumors (KT) are ovarian metastases originating from non-gynecological malignancies, typically associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic profile and outcomes of these patients based on our institutional experience. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 21 patients diagnosed with KT between 2022 and 2025. Clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were assessed. The mean age of the cohort was 42.5 years. Abdominal pain was the most frequent presenting symptom. Gastrointestinal primaries accounted for 71.42
Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) represent a unique subset of epithelial ovarian neoplasms characterized by atypical proliferation without stromal invasion. Among them, serous borderline tumors (SBTs) are the most common and are traditionally believed to arise from the ovarian surface epithelium. Recent studies suggest a possible fallopian tube origin, akin to high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), which often arises from serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). The coexistence of multiple distinct adnexal lesions, including SBT, STIC, and benign tumors, is exceptionally rare and poses diagnostic and pathogenetic challenges. A 53-year-old woman underwent surgical evaluation for persistent abdominal symptoms. Intraoperatively and histologically, she was diagnosed with a Stage IA1 serous borderline tumor in the left ovary, STIC in the left fallopian tube confirmed by p53-null type mutation and Ki-67 positivity, and a benign mucinous cystadenoma in the right ovary. The right fallopian tube was unremarkable. No evidence of invasive carcinoma or metastasis was found. Genetic testing for BRCA mutations was recommended, but could not be performed due to financial constraints. This case highlights the rare synchronous occurrence of three distinct adnexal pathologies: serous borderline tumor, STIC, and mucinous cystadenoma. The findings support a growing hypothesis regarding the fallopian tube’s role in the pathogenesis of certain ovarian tumors and underscore the need for thorough adnexal evaluation and individualized patient management, especially in the context of multiple coexisting lesions.
Ovarian cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis and the subsequent high rates of relapse and chemotherapy resistance, contributing to a poor five-year survival rate. Current treatment, centered on platinum-taxane chemotherapy and emerging maintenance therapies like poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and targeted agents such as the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) mirvetuximab soravtansine, still faces significant efficacy limitations, especially in platinum-resistant settings. The Trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP-2) is emerging as a compelling therapeutic target, given its overexpression in many epithelial cancers, including a high percentage of chemotherapy-resistant ovarian tumors. Sacituzumab govitecan ( SG, Trodelvy), an anti-TROP-2 ADC, has demonstrated clinical success in metastatic breast and urothelial cancers, and its predecessor, sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT, SKB264 or (SG, MK-2870), represents an advanced iteration of this class. sac-TMT is an anti-TROP-2 ADC that utilizes the same monoclonal antibody as but incorporates a novel linker-payload strategy (the K-thiol design) with a belotecan derivative, resulting in enhanced stability, a longer half-life, and superior preclinical anti-tumor activity compared to its predecessor. Early phase II clinical data for sac-TMT in heavily pre-treated, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients show encouraging objective response rates of 40
Cervical cancer is a significant public health problem in India, with high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection recognized as a necessary but insufficient cause. The current research aimed to examine the correlation between CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms—specifically m1 (T3801C, rs4646903) m2 (A4889G, rs1048943)—and the development of cervical cancer in a South Indian female population. The investigation was designed to determine whether these genetic variants function as potential risk markers for the development of invasive cervical cancer within this ethnically distinct cohort. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 40 Precancerous cases, 40 histologically confirmed cervical cancer cases and 80 healthy participants matched by age. DNA was isolated from cervical smears and Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE). Genotyping for CYP1A1 m1 (T > C) and m2 (A > G) polymorphisms was conducted by PCR–RFLP. Statistical analysis included genotype and allele frequency associations with disease risk, using multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios. Among the two gene variants in our study group, both CYP1A1 m1 (OR = 36.97, 95
To create risk-scoring model of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding using clinical and ultrasound characteristics. Two hundred women with premenopausal bleeding were included; all of them were ≥ 40 years. A standardized history was taken, then transvaginal ultrasound and 3D power Doppler analysis were done. All patients had histopathological evaluation of the endometrium that served as a gold standard for the final diagnosis (NCT04995731). Stepwise Logistic regression analysis was done. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95
