The evaluation of laparotomy results in breast cancer patients with gynecological pathologies

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Vol. 46; no. 10; pp. 2126 - 2133
• Main Authors: Şahin Uysal, Nihal, Boyraz, Gökhan, Usubütün, Alp, Tuncer, Zafer S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kyoto, Japan John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01-10-2020; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: abnormal uterine bleeding/endometrial hyperplasia; Adenocarcinoma; Biopsy; Breast cancer; cancer of the endometrium; Cytology; Diagnosis; Endocrine therapy; Endometrial cancer; Endometrium; epithelial cancer of the ovary; Genital cancers; Gynecology; metastatic tumors of the ovary; Ovarian cancer; Pathology; Patients; Surgery; Tamoxifen; Vagina
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/jog.14408

Aim
The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of the laparotomies due to gynecological pathologies in breast cancer patients and to assess the distribution of gynecological pathologies and the clinical and laboratory findings contributing to the diagnosis.
Methods
This study was conducted between years 2002 and 2011 at Hacettepe University Hospital. We obtained information about 86 consecutive breast cancer patients, including age, time of diagnosis and pathology of breast cancer, hormone receptor status, history of endocrine therapy, presenting symptoms, ultrasonography findings, CA 125 levels, endometrial biopsy results, type of gynecological surgery and pathology results. Data were analyzed with the use of SPSS software.
Results
Twenty‐one (24.4%) out of 86 patients had endometrial pathology, and 24 (27.9%) had adnexal pathology. Fourteen patients (16.2%) had malignant pathology, and of them, 11 had ovarian cancer 3 had endometrial cancer. There were five abnormal cytological findings: 2 ASCUS, 1 LSIL, 1 ASC‐H and 1 adenocarcinoma. The patient with the cytology report of adenocarcinoma had the final diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Of the patients, 67 (77.9%) used tamoxifen, whereas 19 (22.1%) did not. Thirty‐three patients (38.4%) with gynecological pathologies were detected incidentally during routine follow‐up of breast cancer.
Conclusion
This study supports the increase of the gynecological pathology incidence in breast cancer patients and the recommendation of close gynecological follow‐up in these patients. Asymptomatic patients might also develop genital cancer. The ultrasonographic appearance of the adnexal masses or endometrial thickness and any abnormal vaginal bleeding or high CA 125 levels are important parameters for evaluating breast cancer patients.