Genes encoding hormone receptors are among candidate genes modulating the risk of ovarian cancer. We aimed to assess a frequency of PGRGC331A, FSHRAla307Thr, and FSHRSer680-Asn polymorphic variants, and the length of (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeat tracts in the androgen receptor gene (AR) with respect to ovarian cancer risk and outcome. We genotyped 215 ovarian cancer patients and 352 unaffected control subjects. Statistical analysis was performed with the logistic regression model with adjustment for age. Clinical importance of the polymorphic variants was evaluated in multivariate models on 69 patients treated with taxane-platinum chemotherapy, with respect to TP53 status. Longer AR (GGN)n and (CAG)n repeat tracts decreased the risk of ovarian cancer. For (GGN)n, each additional repeat decreased the risk by 17% (PZ0.011) or 27% (PZ0.002), while the presence of at least 23 repeats decreased the risk by 41% (PZ0.032) or 68% (PZ0.008), for the shorter or longer allele respectively. The risk of disease was also decreased by 11% with each additional (CAG)n repeat (PZ0.006 for the longer allele). FSHRAla307Ala or FSHRSer680Ser polymorphisms increased ovarian cancer risk by 1.8 times (PZ0.042). In all 69 patients, longer AR (CAG)n repeats decreased the risk of recurrence (PZ0.031). In the group with TP53 accumulation, longer AR (CAG)n repeats decreased the risk of recurrence (PZ0.003) and death (PZ0.03), while the FSHRSer680Ser polymorphism increased the risk of recurrence (PZ0.037). Progesterone receptor polymorphisms analyzed did not show any associations. Our results support both the androgen and gonadotropin hypotheses of ovarian cancer development.

The 3-year disease-free survival was similar in both groups. Total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy may be an option in early cervical cancer; however, the intraperitoneal spread in 2 patients compels a search for possible risk factors in patients managed by laparoscopy.

Aim: Endometrial biopsy is one of the most commonly performed gynecological procedures. Apart from patient safety, the most important is to obtain an adequate specimen allowing histopathological diagnosis. The aim of the study was to determine the rate of endometrial sampling failure and factors affecting the quality of specimen obtained for histopathological examination among patients who underwent Pipelle biopsy and dilatation and curettage (D&C). Methods: Patients who underwent endometrial biopsy (Pipelle, D&C) at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, between June 2013 and July 2017, were included in the study. The influence of menopausal status, body mass index, obstetric history, endometrial thickness, indications for the biopsy and doctors' experience were analyzed with regard to the effectiveness of the procedure. Results: Overall, 895 endometrial sampling procedures were performed. Three hundred and thirty-nine (37.9%) patients underwent Pipelle biopsy, while 556 (62.1%) had D&C. Insufficient samples were found in 60 (17.3%) and 88 (15.8%) patients, respectively. Age, menopausal status and indications were factors affecting both procedures, while the number of previous vaginal deliveries, body mass index and endometrial thickness influenced the effectiveness of Pipelle biopsy. Doctors' experience did not influence the specimen adequacy. Conclusion: None of the methods guarantee obtaining adequate specimens. D&C might be preferred in postmenopausal women. The effectiveness of both procedures is independent of doctors' experience.

Endometrium is the only tissue in the human body subject to cyclic transformations under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. As estradiol and progesterone balance throughout the physiological menstrual cycle changes, so does the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs). These endopeptides are responsible for keeping the balance between the process of synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. Thus, MMP's take part in sustaining physiological stability of the endometrium. A number of MMPs found in the endometrial tissue and their activity is related to menstrual cycle phase. This paper is an up-to-date review of literature of Medline database. The search was conducted for key words including "matrix metalloproteinases", "MMPs", "TIMPs" and "tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases". Over 1092 publications regarding interdependence and interplay between ovarian hormones and the role of various MMPs and their inhibitors in normal endometrial remodelling and in pathological conditions were analysed and critically reviewed.

Background: Each year 604,127 new cases of cervical cancer (CC) are diagnosed, and 341,831 individuals die from the disease. It is the fourth most common cancer among women and the fourth most common cause of death from female cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of CC is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and consists of several steps involving cell proliferation outside the human body’s control mechanisms. Strategies to prevent CC are based on screening and vaccination. Scope of the Review: The aim of this paper was to collect and analyze the available literature on the issue of CC prevention and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its implementation. For this purpose, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using keywords, such as “cervical cancer”; “HPV”; “prevention”; “prophylaxis”; “vaccination”; “screening” and “COVID-19” in different variations. Only articles published since 2018 were included in the study. Conclusions: Selected European countries have different CC prevention programs funded by national budgets. This translates into observed differences in the risk of death from CC (age-standardized rate Malta = 1.1, Poland = 5.9). COVID-19 pandemic due to disruption of CC screening may exacerbate these differences in the future. To improve the situation, new screening methods, such as p16/Ki67, HPV self-testing, and the use of artificial intelligence in colposcopic assessment, should be disseminated, as well as free HPV vaccination programs implemented in all countries. The search for new solutions is not without significance and entails ultra-sensitive screening tests for risk groups (mRNA E6/E7, SOX1/SOX14), HPV vaccines with shorter dosing schedules, and new therapeutic pathways using nanotheranostics.