Menopause Update Feb 2009
In this edition of Menopause Update the following new articles are available for download: February 2009
 | Menopause Update EditorialIn this edition of MENOPAUSE UPDATE there are four articles pertaining to gynaecologic cancer. The message of the first three articles is that even though the general gynaecologist will be called upon to assess and confirm the diagnosis of ovarian and vulval cancer in their patients, or the presence of recurrent gynaecologic cancer during the routine follow-up of patients who have previously had their surgery, with or without adjuvant therapy, these patients must then all be referred to a gynaecologist who has expertise in managing these patients. Particularly with view to surgical management, be it their primary or secondary surgery ...
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| SAMS NewsThe prime focus of The South African Menopause Society (SAMS) has always been to increase the awareness of menopausal issues and to provide education in this sub-speciality. The biannual congress has been the major focus in this regard. In 2008 we broadened our focus by introducing a CME program throughout the country sponsored by an unconditional grant from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The program was extremely successful and will continue in 2009. Although these meetings will be widely advertised, should you want to ensure an invitation to one of these meetings please contact a SAMS committee member in your area who will ensure that you receive an invitation ... READ MORE
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| Photo CornerThere are few cities in the world as beautiful as Venice. Opportunities of great photography abound. Exciting landscapes incorporating buildings, canals and gondolas are evident at every turn. Gondoliers sing opera as they glide past adding to the aesthetic ambience. The colours are breathtaking and the mood is intoxicating. Although there are myriads of tourists, the canals are unencumbered and free ... READ MORE
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| Aspects of Early Epithelial Ovarian CancerThe definition of early ovarian cancer is inevitably difficult and open to several interpretations. With these restrictions in mind early ovarian cancer in this discussion will be limited to epithelial ovarian cancer which is restricted to the pelvis. The FIGO staging classification for gynaecological malignancies stipulates that in this respect stages I and II should be included in this discussion (Table I) ... READ MORE
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| Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical CancerCervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 493,000 new cases diagnosed annually. About 274,000 of these women will unfortunately die of the disease every year. Some 83% of the cases occur in developing countries, where cervical cancer accounts for 15% of female cancers, with a risk before age 65 year of 1.5%, while in developed countries it accounts for only 3.6% of new cancers, with a cumulative risk (ages 0-64) of 0.8%. The highest incidence rates are observed in sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, Latin America and the Caribbean, South-Central Asia and South East Asia... READ MORE
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| Management of Recurrent Gynaecological MalignanciesWomen diagnosed with recurrent gynaecological cancer form a heterogeneous group. Management of the different clinical presentations obviously necessitates a variety of treatment plans and the clinical outcomes will be different. The initial site, tumour type and disease stage best predicts the prognosis together with time from diagnosis. On the other hand the site and size of recurrence as well as previous treatment(s) will determine the treatment possibilities .... READ MORE
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| Vulval CancerAlthough cancer of the vulva is rare, it is primarily a disease of elderly women, although it is observed in premenopausal women as well. There is prevailing evidence that favours persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as the principle causative factor in genital tract carcinomas and vulval cancer is no exception. HPV is not the only prerequisite as 4% of women with lichen sclerosus are also at risk of developing vulval cancer. The labia majora are the commonest site of involvement and accounts for about 50-60% of cases, the labia minora 15% to 20% whilst the clitoris and Bartholin glands account for the rest of the cases. Naturally, however as the tumour spreads it can ultimately involve the peri-anal, anal areas and even the buttocks ... READ MORE
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