Role of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer: current evidence

Less Invasive Endometrial Cancer Surgery with Extraperitoneal Pelvic and Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy via a Small Midline Abdominal Incision and the Retroperitoneal Approach

[Objective] To achieve less invasive lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer patients, we performed extraperitoneal pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy via a small midline abdominal incision with retroperitoneal approach. The feasibility and safety of this method were investigated.

[Methods] Inclusion criteria were 1) endometrioid adenocarcinoma diagnosed by preoperative biopsy, 2) myometrial invasion by magnetic resonance imaging, and 3) no peritoneal dissemination or distant metastasis by computed tomography. Systematic extraperitoneal dissection of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes was performed via an approximately 12-cm midline lower abdominal incision, after which hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were done (extraperitoneal group). The historical control group was patients who underwent standard transperitoneal lymphadenectomy followed by hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The two groups were compared for demographic characteristics, perioperative factors, and complications.

[Results] A total of 62 patients were enrolled. Demographic and clinicopathological factors showed no differences between the extraperitoneal group (n = 34) and the historical control group (n = 28). The median number of pelvic (30 vs. 28) and para-aortic (14 vs. 17) nodes dissected was also similar. However, median intraoperative blood loss was significantly smaller in the extraperitoneal group than the control group (220 vs. 573 g). Median operating time (265 vs. 323.5 min), median laparotomy time (60 vs. 295 min), and median initial flatus time (8 vs. 32 hours) were all significantly shorter in the extraperitoneal group, while complications and severe postoperative pain were significantly less frequent.

[Conclusions] Our new technique was feasible, safe, and less invasive than standard laparotomy. It is an alternative to laparoscope-assisted or robotic procedures.

Fertility Preservation: A Key Survivorship Issue for Young Women with Cancer

Fertility preservation in the young cancer survivor is recognized as a key survivorship issue by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Thus, health-care providers should inform women about the effects of cancer therapy on fertility and should discuss the different fertility preservation options available. It is also recommended to refer women expeditiously to a fertility specialist in order to improve counseling. Women’s age, diagnosis, presence of male partner, time available, and preferences regarding use of donor sperm influence the selection of the appropriate fertility preservation option. Embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are the standard techniques used while ovarian tissue cryopreservation is new, yet promising. Despite the importance of fertility preservation for cancer survivors’ quality of life, there are still communication and financial barriers faced by women who wish to pursue fertility preservation.

Transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound for assessing myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: a comparison of six different approaches

OBJECTIVE

To compare the diagnostic performance of six different approaches for assessing myometrial infiltration using ultrasound in women with carcinoma of the corpus uteri.

METHODS

Myometrial infiltration was assessed by two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound in 169 consecutive women with well (G1) or moderately (G2) differentiated endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma. In 74 of these women three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound was also performed. Six different techniques for myometrial infiltration assessment were evaluated. The impression of examiner and Karlsson's criteria were assessed prospectively. Endometrial thickness, tumor/uterine 3D volume ratio, tumor distance to myometrial serosa (TDS), and van Holsbeke's subjective model were assessed retrospectively. All subjects underwent surgical staging within 1 week after ultrasound evaluation. Definitive histopathological data regarding myometrial infiltration was used as gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity for all approaches were calculated and compared using McNemar test.

RESULTS

The impression of examiner and subjective model performed similarly (sensitivity 79.5% and 80.5%, respectively; specificity 89.6% and 90.3%, respectively). Both methods had significantly better sensitivity than Karlsson's criteria (sensitivity 31.8%, p<0.05) and endometrial thickness (sensitivity 47.7%, p<0.05), and better specificity than tumor/uterine volume ratio (specificity 28.3%, p<0.05) and TDS (specificity 41.5%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Subjective impression seems to be the best approach for assessing myometrial infiltration in G1 or G2 endometrioid type endometrial cancer by transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound. The use of mathematical models and other objective 2D and 3D measurement techniques do not improve diagnostic performance.

[Early-stage endometrial cancer: Sentinel node or lymphadenectomy?]

The endometrial cancers are mainly discovered at an early stage justifying a less aggressive treatment. The therapeutic choices are today based on preoperative classifications themselves based on histo-prognostic factors of the tumor and its extension measured in MRI: consequently, lymph node dissection in case of low and intermediate risk cancer is not systematically achieved. But a number of patients have lymph node involvement finally, probably justifying an adapted surgical and adjuvant treatment. The technique of sentinel node would compensate the weaknesses of preoperative prognostic evaluation. This new operative technique needs to be precised and evaluated: the topics subject to discussion are the technical implementation, the definition of its quality standards and the management of its histological results especially in cases of low volume lymph node metastasis.

Agreement between preoperative transvaginal ultrasound and intraoperative macroscopic examination for assessing myometrial infiltration in low-risk endometrioid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare diagnostic performance of preoperative transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and intraoperative macroscopic examination for determining myometrial infiltration in women with low-risk endometrial cancer, and to estimate the agreement between the two methods.

METHODS

This was a single-center observational study comprising women with preoperative diagnosis of well- or moderately differentiated endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium. All women underwent preoperative TVS by a single examiner. According to the examiner's subjective impression, myometrial infiltration was stated as ≥ 50% or < 50%. Surgical staging was performed in all cases. Intraoperative macroscopic examination of the removed uterus was performed by pathologists who were unaware of the ultrasound findings, and myometrial infiltration was stated as ≥ 50% or < 50%. Definitive histological diagnosis of myometrial infiltration was made by frozen section analysis and was used as the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity with 95% CIs were calculated for TVS and intraoperative macroscopic inspection and compared using McNemar's test. Agreement between TVS and intraoperative macroscopic inspection was estimated using Cohen's kappa index (κ) and percentage of agreement.

RESULTS

Of 209 eligible women, 152 were ultimately included. Mean (± SD) age was 60.9 ± 10.2 years, with a range of 32-91 years. Definitive histological diagnosis revealed that myometrial infiltration was < 50% in 114 women and ≥ 50% in 38 women. Sensitivity and specificity of TVS for detecting deep myometrial infiltration were 81.6% and 89.5%, respectively, whereas the respective values for intraoperative macroscopic examination were 78.9% and 90.4% (McNemar's test, P > 0.05 when comparing TVS and intraoperative macroscopic examination). Agreement between methods was moderate with κ = 0.54 (95% CI, 0.39-0.69) and percentage of agreement of 82%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the agreement between preoperative TVS and intraoperative macroscopic examination for detecting deep myometrial infiltration was only moderate, both methods had similar accuracy when compared with frozen section histology. Preoperative TVS might reasonably be proposed as a method for assessing myometrial infiltration as an alternative to intraoperative macroscopic examination, especially when performed by an experienced examiner and image quality is not poor. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound for preoperative identification of high-risk cases in well- or moderately differentiated endometrioid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound for preoperative identification of high-risk cases among women with well-differentiated (G1) or moderately differentiated (G2) endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium.

METHODS

This was a single-center prospective observational cohort study comprising a consecutive series of women with a preoperative diagnosis of G1/G2 endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium. All women underwent transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound examination by a single examiner. According to the examiner's subjective impression, patients were considered high risk if myometrial infiltration was ≥ 50% and/or involvement of the cervix and/or adnexa was suspected. FIGO surgical staging was performed in all cases. According to definitive histological data regarding myometrial infiltration, cervical involvement and adnexal involvement, women were classified as low risk (no myometrial infiltration, no cervical involvement and no adnexal involvement) or high risk (myometrial infiltration ≥ 50% and/or cervical involvement and/or adnexal involvement). Sensitivity, specificity and positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios, with 95% CIs, of transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound for detecting stage ≥ IB were calculated. Agreement between risk determined by transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound and postoperative definitive histology was calculated.

RESULTS

Of 209 eligible women, 169 were included in the study. Mean (± SD) age of the study cohort was 60.7 ± 10.3 years, with a range of 32-91 years. Sensitivity, specificity, LR+ and LR- of transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound identifying high-risk cases according to myometrial infiltration, cervical involvement and adnexal involvement were 78.0% (95% CI, 63.7-88.0%), 89.1% (95% CI, 81.7-93.8%), 7.14 (95% CI, 4.19-12.18) and 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15-0.42), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound may play a significant role in identifying high-risk cases among those with G1/G2 endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium according to preoperative biopsy, and could be a useful test in this clinical setting. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Extraperitoneal Robotic-Assisted Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy in Gynecologic Cancer Staging: Current Evidence

We reviewed the current evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and applicability of extraperitoneal robotic-assisted para-aortic lymphadenectomy (ExtRA-PAL) as the staging procedure of gynecologic malignancies. PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for original studies reporting outcomes of ExtRA-PAL. Quality of the included studies and their level of recommendation were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines, respectively. Overall, 62 studies were identified; after a process of evidence acquisition 5 original investigations were available for this review that included 98 patients undergoing ExtRA-PAL. The main surgical indication was staging for cervical cancer (n = 71, 72%). The mean (SD) number of para-aortic node yielded was 15.4 (±4.7) nodes. Blood transfusion and intraoperative complication rates were 2% and 6%, respectively. ExtRA-PAL was completed in 88 patients (90%). Six (6%) and 4 (4%) patients had conversion to other minimally invasive procedures and open surgery, respectively. Success rate was 99% among patients undergoing ExtRA-PAL without concomitant procedures. Overall, mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 2.8 (±0.5) days. Twenty-four patients (24%) developed postoperative events. According to the Clavien-Dindo grading system, grades IIIa and IIIb morbidity rates were 12% and 2%, respectively. No grades IV and V morbidity occurred. ExtRA-PAL is associated with a high success rate and a relative low morbidity rate. However, because of the limited data on this issue, further studies are warranted to assess the long-term effectiveness of this procedure.

Laparoscopic Indocyanine Green Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Endometrial Cancer

Background

In endometrial cancer (EMCA), indocyanine green (ICG) sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has been reported, mainly in conjunction with robotic surgery.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate detection rates, sensitivity, and false negative (FN) rate of laparoscopic ICG SLN mapping in EMCA, and to evaluate differences in surgical outcomes between patients subjected to SLN biopsy only versus lymphadenectomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of EMCA patients undergoing ICG SLN mapping ± pelvic (PLND) and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PALND) was performed. Detection rates were calculated for the entire cohort. Sensitivity and FN rates were calculated for patients undergoing lymphadenectomy after SLN mapping, and surgical outcome was compared among patients undergoing SLN mapping only versus lymphadenectomy.

Results

Of 75 patients, 33 underwent SLN mapping and 42 underwent SLN mapping followed by PLND/PALND. Overall and bilateral detection rates were 96 % (72/75) and 88 % (66/75), respectively, and the median number of removed SLNs, pelvic non-SLNs (NSLN) and para-aortic NSLNs was 3, 27, and 19, respectively. With a FN rate of 8.3 %, only one patient had bilateral FN SLNs and a metastatic para-aortal NSLN. Estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative (OR) time were significantly lower in patients undergoing SLN mapping only. No differences in complication rates between patients undergoing SLN mapping only and patients undergoing lymphadenectomy were recorded.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic ICG SLN mapping has excellent overall and bilateral detection rates and a low FN rate. Compared with lymphadenectomy, SLN biopsy is associated with significantly lower EBL and shorter OR time.

Comparison of a sentinel lymph node and a selective lymphadenectomy algorithm in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma and limited myometrial invasion

OBJECTIVES

To assess clinicopathologic outcomes between two nodal assessment approaches in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma and limited myoinvasion.

METHODS

Patients with endometrial cancer at two institutions were reviewed. At one institution, a complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy to the renal veins was performed in select cases deemed at risk for nodal metastasis due to grade 3 cancer and/or primary tumor diameter>2cm (LND cohort). This is a historic approach at this institution. At the other institution, a sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm was used per institutional protocol (SLN cohort). Low risk was defined as endometrioid adenocarcinoma with myometrial invasion <50%. Macrometastasis, micrometastasis, and isolated tumor cells were all considered node-positive.

RESULTS

Of 1135 cases identified, 642 (57%) were managed with an SLN approach and 493 (43%) with an LND approach. Pelvic nodes (PLNs) were removed in 93% and 58% of patients, respectively (P<0.001); para-aortic nodes (PANs) were removed in 14.5% and 50% of patients, respectively (P<0.001). Median number of PLNs removed was 6 and 34, respectively; median number of PANs removed was 5 and 16, respectively (both P<0.001). Metastasis to PLNs was detected in 5.1% and 2.6% of patients, respectively (P=0.03), and to PANs in 0.8% and 1.0%, respectively (P=0.75). The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 94.9% (95% CI, 92.4-97.5) and 96.8% (95% CI, 95.2-98.5), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the use of either strategy for endometrial cancer staging, with no apparent detriment in adhering to the SLN algorithm. The clinical significance of disease detected on ultrastaging and the role of adjuvant therapy is yet to be determined.

Comparison of a sentinel lymph node and a selective lymphadenectomy algorithm in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma and limited myometrial invasion

OBJECTIVES

To assess clinicopathologic outcomes between two nodal assessment approaches in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma and limited myoinvasion.

METHODS

Patients with endometrial cancer at two institutions were reviewed. At one institution, a complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy to the renal veins was performed in select cases deemed at risk for nodal metastasis due to grade 3 cancer and/or primary tumor diameter>2cm (LND cohort). This is a historic approach at this institution. At the other institution, a sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm was used per institutional protocol (SLN cohort). Low risk was defined as endometrioid adenocarcinoma with myometrial invasion <50%. Macrometastasis, micrometastasis, and isolated tumor cells were all considered node-positive.

RESULTS

Of 1135 cases identified, 642 (57%) were managed with an SLN approach and 493 (43%) with an LND approach. Pelvic nodes (PLNs) were removed in 93% and 58% of patients, respectively (P<0.001); para-aortic nodes (PANs) were removed in 14.5% and 50% of patients, respectively (P<0.001). Median number of PLNs removed was 6 and 34, respectively; median number of PANs removed was 5 and 16, respectively (both P<0.001). Metastasis to PLNs was detected in 5.1% and 2.6% of patients, respectively (P=0.03), and to PANs in 0.8% and 1.0%, respectively (P=0.75). The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 94.9% (95% CI, 92.4-97.5) and 96.8% (95% CI, 95.2-98.5), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the use of either strategy for endometrial cancer staging, with no apparent detriment in adhering to the SLN algorithm. The clinical significance of disease detected on ultrastaging and the role of adjuvant therapy is yet to be determined.

Perioperative and long-term outcomes of laparoscopy and laparotomy for endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and the clinical value of laparoscopic surgery and traditional abdominal surgery for the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Meanwhile, assessing the value of preoperative MRI in the depth of myometrial invasion of endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

we retrospectively analyzed 32 patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent laparoscopic surgery in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Subei People's Hospital from September 2008 to March 2015, comparing data using the same surgeons' traditional laparotomy cases during the same period. Data collected includes patient demography, intraoperative and postoperative clinical parameters and follow-up data.

RESULT

All laparoscopic and laparotomy surgery were successful. laparoscopic surgery was better than traditional surgery with less blood loss, more early postoperative anal exhaust time, less postoperative hospital stay, and no seriously complications, there were significant differences (all P<0.05). The average operative time, in the laparoscopy group, was a little longer than the laparotomy group with no statistical significance (P>0.05). There were no differences in the two groups in terms of the number of excised lymph nodes and the recurrence and mortality rate (P>0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the MRI imaging in assessment of deep myometrial invasion of endometrial carcinoma were 89.3% and 96.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compared to conventional approaches, laparoscopic surgery showed favorable short-term outcomes with comparable survival. People with endometrial cancer can, therefore, be as safely managed using laparoscopy as laparotomy. MRI is of high value in assessing deep myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Transvaginal ultrasound for preoperative assessment of myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To review the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in the preoperative detection of deep myometrial infiltration in patients with endometrial cancer, comparing subjective and objective methods.

METHODS

An extensive search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE for studies published between January 1989 and December 2014. The eligibility criterion was use of TVS for preoperative assessment of myometrial infiltration by subjective evaluation and/or objective measurements. Objective measurements included, specifically, the approaches of Gordon (ratio of the distance between endometrium-myometrium interface and maximum tumor depth to the total myometrial thickness) and Karlsson (endometrial tumor thickness/anteroposterior uterine diameter ratio), in women with endometrial cancer, using the surgical pathological data as a reference standard. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool.

RESULTS

Our extended search identified a total of 184 citations, among which we examined the full text of 24 articles. Overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of TVS for detecting deep myometrial infiltration were 82% (95% CI, 76-87%), 81% (95% CI, 76-85%), 4.3 (95% CI, 3.6-5.3) and 0.22 (95% CI, 0.16-0.30), respectively. We did not observe differences among the three methods in terms of diagnostic performance. Significant heterogeneity was found for sensitivity and specificity of all three methods (I(2) range, 60.6-95.0). The main limitation was that very few studies compared different approaches in the same set of patients.

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic performance of TVS for detecting deep myometrial infiltration in women with endometrial cancer is moderate.

Lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a previous Cochrane review published in Issue 1, 2010. The role of lymphadenectomy in surgical management of endometrial cancer remains controversial. Lymph node metastases can be found in approximately 10% of women who clinically before surgery have cancer confined to the womb. Removal of all pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes (lymphadenectomy) at initial surgery has been widely advocated, and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy remains part of the FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) staging system for endometrial cancer. This recommendation is based on data from studies that suggested improvement in survival following pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. However, these studies were not randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and treatment of pelvic lymph nodes may not confer a direct therapeutic benefit, other than allocating women to poorer prognosis groups. Furthermore, the Cochrane review and meta-analysis of RCTs of routine adjuvant radiotherapy to treat possible lymph node metastases in women with early-stage endometrial cancer found no survival advantage. Surgical removal of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes has serious potential short-term and long-term sequelae. Therefore it is important to investigate the clinical value of this treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Review Group Trials Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE to June 2009 for the original review and extended the search to June 2015 for this version of the review. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists of included studies, and we contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs and quasi-RCTs that compared lymphadenectomy versus no lymphadenectomy in adult women diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Hazard ratios (HRs) for overall and progression-free survival and risk ratios (RRs) comparing adverse events in women who received lymphadenectomy versus those with no lymphadenectomy were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.

MAIN RESULTS

Three RCTs met the inclusion criteria; for one small RCT, data were insufficient for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The two RCTs included in the analysis randomly assigned 1945 women, reported HRs for survival adjusted for prognostic factors and based on 1851 women and had an overall low risk of bias, as they satisfied four of the assessment criteria. The third study had an overall unclear risk of bias, as information provided was not adequate concerning random sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding or completeness of outcome reporting.Results of the meta-analysis remain unchanged from the previous version of this review and indicate no differences in overall and recurrence-free survival between women who underwent lymphadenectomy and those who did not undergo lymphadenectomy (pooled HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.43; HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.58 for overall and recurrence-free survival, respectively) (1851 participants, two studies; moderate-quality evidence).We found no difference in risk of direct surgical morbidity between women who underwent lymphadenectomy and those who did not undergo lymphadenectomy. However, women who underwent lymphadenectomy had a significantly higher risk of surgery-related systemic morbidity and lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation than those who did not undergo lymphadenectomy (RR 3.72, 95% CI 1.04 to 13.27; RR 8.39, 95% CI 4.06 to 17.33 for risk of surgery-related systemic morbidity and lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation, respectively) (1922 participants, two studies; high-quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review found no evidence that lymphadenectomy decreases risk of death or disease recurrence compared with no lymphadenectomy in women with presumed stage I disease. Evidence on serious adverse events suggests that women who undergo lymphadenectomy are more likely to experience surgery-related systemic morbidity or lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation. Currently, no RCT evidence shows the impact of lymphadenectomy in women with higher-stage disease and in those at high risk of disease recurrence.

Bilateral femur metastases in low-grade endometrial carcinoma

Lower-limb bone metastases are uncommon in low-grade endometrial carcinoma, and are mostly located on the axial skeleton. Here, we present a rare case of bilateral femur metastases in low-grade endometrial carcinoma and performed a review of the current literature.

Lymphadenectomy in women with endometrial cancer: aspiration and reality from a radiation oncologist's point of view

Background

To investigate the meaning of lymphadenectomy (LNE) in women with endometrial cancer (EC) for clinical outcome and secondly to determine the impact of the method of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) on survival as well as to define prognostic factors.

Methods

322 patients (pts) underwent adjuvant RT for endometrioid EC at our department from 2004 until 2012 and were included in this retrospective study. Chi-square test, LogRank test and Cox regression were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Median age at diagnosis: 66 years. FIGO stages: FIGO I 69.4 %, FIGO II 15.3 %, FIGO III 14.5 %, FIGO IV 0.9 %. Surgical staging: 30.6 % pelvic/paraaortic LNE, 45 % sole pelvic LNE, 8.8 % sampling of suspicious lymph nodes, 15.6 % no LNE. Adjuvant chemotherapy (ChT): 3.2 %. Sole intravaginal brachytherapy (IVB): 60.2 %. IVB + external beam radiotherapy (EBRT): 39.8 %. 5-year local recurrence free survival (LRFS): 90.6 %, distant metastases free survival (DMFS): 89.8 %, overall survival (OS):79.3 %. In multivariate analysis age (p = .007), pT stage (p = .029), lymph node status (p = .003), grading (p = .011) and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI; p = .008) remained as independent prognostic factors for OS. Resection status (p = .01) and LVSI (p = .014) were independent prognostic factors for LRFS and LVSI (p = .008) was the only independent prognostic factor for DMFS. There was no statistically significant survival benefit from LNE in LRFS (p = .561), DMFS (p = .981) or OS (p = .791). 5-year LRFS in stage I and II: 96.0 and 82.9 % after sole IVB, 90.8 and 81.6 % after combined IVB/EBRT (p = .105; p = .970). 5-year OS rates for stage I and II: 86.5 and 71.3 % after sole IVB, 84.2 % and 69.2 % after combined IVB/EBRT (p = .153; p = .619).

Conclusion

Comprehensive surgical staging is rarely performed and may be omitted in women with endometrioid EC in stages I-II. Sole IVB delivers equally good local control as combined IVB/EBRT in pts with FIGO stage I and II disease. LVSI deserves more attention as a prognostic factor and these pts may require a combined local and systemic therapy.

Obesity, lymphadenectomy and survival outcomes in intermediate to high-risk, early-stage endometrial cancer patients

AIM

Lymphadenectomy or lymph node dissection is a topic of controversy in endometrial cancer (EC) treatment.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Associations between lymph node dissections and clinical factors were retrospectively examined in obese, endometrioid endometrial cancer patients with early-stage disease between 1995 and 2005. Overall, EC-specific and recurrence-free survival were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of 192 patients, 61 (32%) did not have a lymph node examination, 55 (29%) had less than ten lymph nodes removed and 76 (39%) had ≥10 removed. Lymph node dissection count was not significantly associated with overall, EC-specific or recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSION

Analysis revealed no significant associations between ≥10 dissected lymph nodes and survival outcomes among obese, EC patients, which supports the need for additional investigation of the merit of lymphadenectomy among these patients.

Chemotherapy Reduces Para-aortic Node Recurrences in Endometrial Cancer With Positive Pelvic and Unknown Para-aortic Nodes

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate how the administration of different adjuvant therapies influences the risk for developing recurrences in the para-aortic area in endometrial cancer (EC) with positive pelvic and unknown para-aortic nodes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the data of 58 patients with EC affected by stage IIIC1 who had undergone pelvic but not para-aortic lymphadenectomy from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2011. Survival outcomes within the first 5 years after surgery were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier model.

Results

Chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, chemotherapy only, and external radiotherapy only were administered in 12 (23%), 18 (34%), and 23 (43%) patients, respectively. Five (9%) patients, who were selected to forego adjuvant therapy due to poor performance status, were excluded from the analysis. Disease-free and overall survivals assessed at 5 years were 54%, and 61%, respectively. All para-aortic recurrences were observed among the patients with endometrioid EC, whereas no cases of para-aortic recurrences were found in patients with nonendometrioid histology (5/36 (14%) vs 0/17 (0%); P = 0.16); the latter were more likely to develop distant (hematogenous, peritoneal, and distant lymphatic) recurrences (P = 0.09). Type of adjuvant therapy was the only factor influencing para-aortic failure: chemotherapy (± radiotherapy) reduced the rate of para-aortic node recurrence in comparison with pelvic radiotherapy as a sole modality (P = 0.01). However, adjuvant therapy did not influence the 5-year survival outcomes (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

In the absence of local treatment (ie, para-aortic lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy), the administration of chemotherapy seems effective in reducing recurrences in the para-aortic area among patients with stage IIIC1 endometrioid EC.

ZEB1 expression in endometrial biopsy predicts lymph node metastases in patient with endometrial cancer

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression of zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) in endometrial biopsy and its correlation with preoperative characteristics, including lymph node metastases in patient with endometrial cancer. Methods. Using quantitative RT-PCR, ZEB1 expressions in endometrial biopsy from 452 patients were measured. The relationship between ZEB1 expression and preoperative characteristics was analyzed. Results. ZEB1 expressions were significantly associated with subtype, grade, myometrial invasion, and lymph node metastases. Lymph node metastases could be identified with a sensitivity of 57.8% at specificity of 74.1% by ZEB1 expression in endometrial biopsy. Based on combination of preoperative characteristics and ZEB1 expression, lymph node metastases could be identified with a sensitivity of 62.1% at specificity of 96.2% prior to hysterectomy. Conclusion. ZEB1 expression in endometrial biopsy could help physicians to better predict the lymph node metastasis in patients with endometrial cancer prior to hysterectomy.

Is mucinous adenocarcinoma of the endometrium a risk factor for lymph node involvement? A multicenter case-control study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this multicenter case-control study was to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (MAE) and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC).

METHODS

A retrospective review of two cancer registry databases in Turkey was conducted to identify patients diagnosed with MAE between January 1996 and December 2012. Each patient was matched with a control EEC patient by age and tumor grade. Cases and controls were compared in terms of known risk factors for lymph node metastasis, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The analysis included 112 patients with MAE and 112 with EEC. No significant difference in baseline characteristics was evident between the two groups. Lymphovascular space invasion, deep myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, and tumor diameter did not differ significantly between the mucinous and endometrioid cases. Multivariate analysis confirmed that only mucinous histology (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.1-4.5; P = 0.02) was an independent predictor of lymph node involvement. Although the median DFS and OS tended to be better in the endometrioid group, the differences were not statistically significant. Routine appendectomy was performed in 52 (46.2 %) patients with MAE. No mucinous tumor of the appendix was identified.

CONCLUSION

Routine appendectomy is not necessary when the appendix is grossly normal at the time of surgery for MAE. Although the DFS and OS of EEC and MAE patients were similar, the risk of nodal metastasis in MAE patients was greater than that in ECC patients, and we thus suggest to perform retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (both pelvic and para-aortic) for patients with MAE during the initial operation.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium in elderly women: a report of four cases

Pure squamous cell carcinoma arising in the endometrium represents a rare entity, accounting for <1 % of all endometrial malignancies. Limited data about pathogenetics' and behaviours' features are available. Of consequence, there is no consensus about classification and different therapeutic option. Four cases of elderly patients (aged > 65 years) affected by pure squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium are presented. Known risk factors for endometrial squamous metaplasia (i.e., pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical stenosis) were observed in two patients. Patients with a disease limited to the uterine corpus had favourable prognosis after surgery ± radiotherapy, while one patient with lymph nodes involvement and another who refused staging and/or adjuvant therapy had recurrent disease. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium is rare and aggressive occurrence, characteristic of elderly patients. Radical surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy should be administered.

CD44 expression in curettage and postoperative specimens of endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Adhesive molecules like CD44 are well defined key players in the metastatic cascade in many cancers, including endometrial cancer. They could play a role of markers of invasion, metastasis and prognostic factors.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to assess a possible role of the CD44 as a marker of invasion in endometrial cancer, both at the moment of preoperative workup and final staging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Available for analysis were archival specimens of 51 patients who had underwent curettage and surgery between 2002 and 2007. An immunohistochemical study for CD44 expression was performed in curettage and postoperative specimens. Normal endometrium of 20 randomly chosen patients was used as a control group.

RESULTS

In endometrial cancer the expression of CD44 was significantly more intensive than in normal endometrium. In postoperative specimens, the CD44 expression was weaker in serous than in endometrioid cancer. There was no significant correlation between the adhesion molecule expression and clinicopathological features: grade,depth of invasion, cervical involvement, serosal and adnexal involvement, lymph-vascular space involvement, lymph node and distant metastases nor FIGO stage.

CONCLUSIONS

An increased expression of CD44 in endometrial cancer suggests its possible role in pathogenesis of this disease, however, it doesn't seem to be crucial. Different expression of the CD44 in endometrioid and papillary-serous type may reflect different pathogenesis of these types of cancer. No statistically proved relation between the investigated molecule expression and clinicopathological parameters suggests scepticism about its use in diagnostic process of endometrial cancer.

Sentinel node mapping using hysteroscopic injection of indocyanine green and laparoscopic near-infrared fluorescence imaging in endometrial cancer staging

Herein is presented a technique for minimally invasive sentinel node mapping. The patient had apparently early stage endometrial cancer. Sentinel node mapping was performed using a hysteroscopic injection of indocyanine green followed by laparoscopic sentinel node detection via near-infrared fluorescence. This technique ensures delineation of lymphatic drainage from the tumor area, thus achieving accurate detection of sentinel nodes.

Perioperative and Long-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic, Open Abdominal, and Vaginal Surgery for Endometrial Cancer in Patients Aged 80 Years or Older

Objective

This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and the long-term effectiveness of laparoscopy in endometrial cancer patients aged 80 years or older.

Methods

Data of consecutive patients aged 80 years and older undergoing laparoscopic, open abdominal, and vaginal approaches were compared. Postoperative complications were graded per the Accordion Severity Classification. Survival outcomes within the first 5 years were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Among 726 patients, 63 (9%) were aged 80 years and older. Laparoscopic, open abdominal, and vaginal surgery were performed in 22 (35%), 25 (40%), and 16 (25%) cases, respectively. All laparoscopic procedures were completed laparoscopically, whereas a conversion from vaginal to open procedure occurred (0% vs 6%; P = 0.42). Patients undergoing laparoscopy experienced similar operative time (P > 0.05), lower blood loss (P < 0.05), and shorter hospital stay (P < 0.05) than patients undergoing open and vaginal surgery. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Laparoscopy is related to a lower rate of postoperative complications (P = 0.09) and Accordion grade greater than or equal to 2 complications (P = 0.05) in comparison to open abdominal and vaginal surgery. The route of surgical approaches did not influence the 5-year disease-free (P = 0.97, log-rank test) and overall (P = 0.94, log-rank test) survivals.

Conclusions

Laparoscopy seems to represent a safe and effective treatment of endometrial cancer in women aged 80 years or older. Our data suggest that in elderly women, laparoscopic surgery improves perioperative outcomes compared with open and vaginal approaches without compromising long-term survival.