Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Endometrial carcinoma is considered the most common gynecological cancer in the world. Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy is widely advised based on FIGO staging system. Intra-operative frozen sections analysis is used to identify pa-tients at high risk for pelvic and para-aortic nodal metastasis evading lymphadenec-tomy in low-risk patients. However there is still some controversy concerning the effi-ciency of IFS. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and precision of fro-zen section diagnosis and gross examination of uterine specimen compared to the final histological results in patients with endometrial cancer. Methods: Patients diagnosed as endometrial cancer based on office biopsy using a Pipelle or D&C who underwent surgical staging were compared for frozen section anal-ysis and permanent diagnosis. Patients with the history of radiotherapy or other types of cancer or co existence malignancies were excluded. Results: There was no relation between the tumor size and lymph node involvement and the results were not significant (P= 0.1). Frozen section analysis was significantly accurate and correct in predicting final histopathological results (P< 0.0001). It has been shown that in more than 90% of patients the diagnosis made by frozen section analysis was in accordance with final pathology with considerable sensitivity and spec-ificity. Gross examination was also precise in determining myometrial microscopic in-vasions (P< 0.0001). Conclusion: Although the sample size of the studied population was small but our study results support the previous data and suggest that in early stages and low grade tumors, gross examination and frozen section diagnosis are conveniently predictive of lymph node metastasis. These data might be useful for prediction of tumor invasion using frozen section and gross examination in low grade tumors and early stages and for doing complete surgical staging and lymph node sampling. However the im-portance of surgical staging always must be considered in patients who need systemat-ic lymphadenectomy. In overall these data might help to come up with new guidelines for surgical risk assessment in endometrial cancer.

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Background: Cervical cancer is known to be preventable because of long period of pre-invasive stage, availability of screening tools, and effective treatments for early invasive cervical lesions. Screening is main measures to prevent the disease and Pap smear is a screening strategy for cervical cancer. Current paper aimed to evaluate levels of awareness and practice regarding Pap smear screening among women aged between 20 to 65 years in Tehran (Iran). Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted in Tehran City of Iran in 2015 at Firoozgar Hospital. The research population included all married, widowed and divorced women aged 20-65 years. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation and Student’s t-tests in SPSS, ver. 23 (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Among 90 individuals who have fill questionnaire completely, 66.6% subjects had Pap smear tests. 40% of the individuals aged between 30 to 39 and the education level is distributed equally between Intermediate, Diploma and graduate and only 3 percent of them, continue their education to higher level. There was a significant relationship between the awareness of Pap smear and educational level (of both wives and husbands). The people who have graduate degree, have the best awareness. Working women revealed higher level of awareness about Pap smear. Shame and fear of taking the cancer were the most common reasons which lead to avoidance in doing the test by the women, while the most encouraging factors for performing the test were the information mostly provided by physicians and after that, the information provided by friends. Conclusion: The awareness of Pap smear test which was measured by weighting different questions in the questionnaire by experts, prove that the women aged above 39, have an average level of awareness of Pap smear test. Due to high prevalence of cervical cancer and prolonged pre invasive course, role of Pap smear for early diagnosis necessitate the use of proper and inexpensive instructional methods to increase awareness in women about cervical cancer and preventive strategies.