Press Release

San Diego, CA - (February 8, 2000) - In a presentation to the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, Dr. Nicola Spirtos of the Women's Cancer Center announced research results which showed that laparoscopic techniques, though less invasive, are as effective as more widely-used surgical procedures in treating early-stage cancer patients undergoing a radical hysterectomy. The Women's Cancer Center is a pioneer in the use of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for treating women with gynecologic cancers, and one of only seven major institutions in the country to study this approach.

The acceptance of a new surgical technique in oncology requires that technical feasibility be demonstrated and that the morbidity and mortality associated with it are not prohibitively high. Short and long-term survival should be comparable to that of the accepted standard therapy. While feasibility issues have, for the most part been resolved, little is known about the morbidity and mortality associated with the laparoscopic procedure and little published regarding short or long-term survival following laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type III), aortic and pelvic lymph node dissection.

In the study conducted by Nick M. Spirtos, MD, Scott M. Eisenkop, MD, John B. Schlaerth, MD, and Samuel C. Ballon, MD between July 1, 1994 and December 1996, the researchers reported the surgical morbidity and intermediate-term follow-up on 78 patients with stage Ia2 and IB carcinoma of the cervix with at least three-years of follow-up.

Spirtos compared operative times, associated blood loss and then detailed both intra- and post-operative complications. He noted that intra-operative complications occurred infrequently and that the incidence of post-operative complications compared favorably to other recent reports in the literature. In essence, there were no unusual or unique complications attributable to the laparoscopic aspects of this surgical procedure.

"We did have concerns about the potential risk associated with the fragmentation and removal of grossly positive lymph nodes," said Spirtos discussing a potential limitation inherent in all minimally invasive surgical procedures that integrate laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. "In the event that the presence of macroscopically pelvic lymph nodes, positive aortic lymph nodes, or intraperitoneal disease is discovered, it is probably prudent to either abandon the procedure or make every effort to not fragment positive lymph nodes and remove them either via an endoscopic pouch or colpotomy".

The 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists is being held February 5-9, 2000 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. For more information about the meeting visit www.sgo.org. For a copy of the study, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Spirtos, please send email to nspirtos@wccenter.com.