Surgical stage I endometrial cancer: predictors of distant failure and death

How deep is too deep? Assessing myometrial invasion as a predictor of distant recurrence in stage I endometrioid endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate the depth of myometrial invasion as a predictor of distant recurrence in patients with node-negative stage IB endometrioid endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter study, including surgically staged endometrial cancer patients at Mayo Clinic, Rochester (MN, USA) between January 1999 and December 2017, and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli (Rome, Italy) between March 2002 and March 2017, was conducted. Patients without lymph node assessment were excluded. The follow-up was restricted to the first 5 years following surgery. Recurrence-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to evaluate the association of clinical and pathologic characteristics with the risk of recurrence.

RESULTS

Of 386 patients, the mean (SD) depth of myometrial invasion was 70.4 (13.2)%. We identified 51 recurrences (14 isolated vaginal, 37 non-vaginal); the median follow-up of the remaining patients was 4.5 (IQR 2.3-7.0) years. At univariate analysis, the risk of non-vaginal recurrence increased by 64% (95% CI 1.28 to 2.12) for every 10-unit increase in the depth of myometrial invasion. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade and myometrial invasion were independent predictors of non-vaginal recurrence. The 5-year non-vaginal recurrence-free survival was 95.2% (95% CI 92.0% to 98.6%), 84.0% (95% CI 76.6% to 92.1%), and 67.1% (95% CI 54.2% to 83.0%) for subsets of patients with myometrial invasion <71% (n=207), myometrial invasion ≥71% and grade 1-2 (n=132), and myometrial invasion ≥71% and grade 3 (n=47), respectively. A total of 256 (66.3%) patients received either vaginal brachytherapy only or no adjuvant therapy. Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, regardless of receipt of external beam radiotherapy or vaginal brachytherapy, had an approximately 70% lower risk of any recurrence (HR adjusted for age, grade, myometrial invasion 0.31, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.85) and of non-vaginal recurrence (adjusted HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.99).

CONCLUSION

The invasion of the outer third of the myometrium and histologic grade were found to be independent predictors of distant recurrence among patients with endometrioid, node-negative stage IB endometrial cancer. Future studies should investigate if systemic adjuvant therapy for patients with myometrial invasion of the outer third would improve outcomes.

Preoperative cancer antigen-125 levels as a predictor of recurrence in early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in developed countries, with a majority of cases being low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer. Identifying risk factors for disease recurrence and poor prognosis is critical. This study aimed to assess the correlation between preoperative cancer antigen-125 levels and disease recurrence in early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer patients.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective analysis of 217 patients diagnosed with endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent surgical treatment at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on their preoperative cancer antigen-125 levels and compared with clinicopathological findings and disease recurrence. Disease-free survival rates were calculated, and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent factors affecting disease-free survival.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 61.59±0.75 years, and the mean follow-up time was 36.95±1.18 months. The mean cancer antigen-125 level was 27.80±37.81 IU/mL. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the group with elevated cancer antigen-125 levels (p=0.025). Disease-free survival was lower in patients with elevated cancer antigen-125 compared with those with normal levels (p=0.005). Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated cancer antigen-125 levels were associated with disease recurrence (OR: 3.43, 95%CI 1.13-10.37, p=0.029).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that preoperative cancer antigen-125 levels can be used as a predictor of disease recurrence in early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer patients. cancer antigen-125 levels may be a useful tool for risk stratification and patient management in endometrial cancer.

Improving Risk Assessment for Metastatic Disease in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Patients Using Molecular and Clinical Features: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Objectives: A risk assessment model for metastasis in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) was developed using molecular and clinical features, and prognostic association was examined. Methods: Patients had stage I, IIIC, or IV EEC with tumor-derived RNA-sequencing or microarray-based data. Metastasis-associated transcripts and platform-centric diagnostic algorithms were selected and evaluated using regression modeling and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: Seven metastasis-associated transcripts were selected from analysis in the training cohorts using 10-fold cross validation and incorporated into an MS7 classifier using platform-specific coefficients. The predictive accuracy of the MS7 classifier in Training-1 was superior to that of other clinical and molecular features, with an area under the curve (95% confidence interval) of 0.89 (0.80-0.98) for MS7 compared with 0.69 (0.59-0.80) and 0.71 (0.58-0.83) for the top evaluated clinical and molecular features, respectively. The performance of MS7 was independently validated in 245 patients using RNA sequencing and in 81 patients using microarray-based data. MS7 + MI (myometrial invasion) was preferrable to individual features and exhibited 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value. The MS7 classifier was associated with lower progression-free and overall survival (p ≤ 0.003). Conclusion: A risk assessment classifier for metastasis and prognosis in EEC patients with primary tumor derived MS7 + MI is available for further development and optimization as a companion clinical support tool.

Recurrence risk factors in stage IA grade 1 endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

Patients with early-stage endometrial cancers (EC) with disease recurrences have worse survival outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical and pathologic factors that predict for all recurrences in stage IA grade 1 (IAG1) EC.

METHODS

Records from patients diagnosed with EC were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics of 222 patients with IAG1 EC who underwent surgical resection were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to identify univariate and multivariate risk factors that predict for recurrence.

RESULTS

Seventeen (7.65%) patients had recurrences. The 3-year cumulative incidence of recurrence were significantly higher for patients with time from biopsy to surgery ≥6 months (54% vs. 8%, p=0.003), simple hysterectomy with ovarian preservation vs. total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (31% vs. 9%, p=0.032), any myometrial invasion vs. no invasion (18% vs. 2%, p=0.004), and tumor size ≥2 cm (15% vs. 2%, p=0.021). On, multivariate analysis, any myometrial invasion, increasing time from biopsy to surgery, and larger tumor size were independent predictors of any recurrence. Patients with recurrences had worse outcomes than those without (5-year overall survival [OS]=60%; 95% confidence interval [CI]=16%-86% vs. 5-year OS=95%; 95% CI=87%-99%, respectively, p=0.003).

CONCLUSION

Time from biopsy to surgery, larger tumors, and myometrial invasion are the most important predictors of recurrence. Though the recurrence rates are generally low in IAG1 EC, the survival rate for the patients with recurrences was worse than those without. Identification of additional recurrence risk factors can help select patients who may benefit from adjuvant treatment.

Survival of large volume recurrent endometrial cancer with peritoneal metastases treated by cytoreductive surgery, HIPEC and EPIC. Report of a case

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Endometrial cancer may disseminate by the blood, the lymph, or through peritoneal spaces.

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Not all endometrial cancers spread by all three routes.

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Successful treatment by surgery and regional chemotherapy occurred with isolated spread to the peritoneum.

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Knowledgeable histopathologic examination of the primary cancer can predict routes of cancer dissemination.

Introduction and importance

Endometrial cancer may disseminate through lymphatic channels to pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, through the bloodstream to the lungs, or through the peritoneal space to peritoneal surfaces. However, not all endometrial cancers involve all 3 sites for metastatic disease.

Case presentation

A patient with large volume of symptomatic recurrence of peritoneal metastases from endometrial cancer was subjected to additional surgery and both regional and systemic chemotherapy. All aspects of her disease and its treatment were studied.

Clinical discussion

The primary malignancy was treated by a laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by intravaginal radiation. Large volume recurrent disease limited to the abdomen and pelvis was treated by complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC). After recovery from surgery, systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel was administered. The patient is now 25 months following treatment for recurrent cancer and free of disease.

Conclusions

The possibility of complete resection of recurrent endometrial cancer combined with HIPEC, EPIC and systemic chemotherapy is a treatment option for selected patients.

Molecular characterization in the prediction of disease extent in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Patients with endometrial carcinoma are usually triaged to staging lymphadenectomy selectively based on estimated risk of lymphatic spread. The risk is generally assessed by the presence of uterine risk factors, but their preoperative and intraoperative identification remain a challenge. The objective of this study was to assess the capability of molecular classification, described by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), to predict the stage of endometrial carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Sequencing of polymerase-ε (POLE) and immunohistochemistry of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins and p53 were performed to stratify endometrial carcinomas into subgroups of POLE exonuclease domain mutation (EDM), MMR deficiency, abnormal p53 (p53 abn) and 'no specific molecular profile' (NSMP). NSMP was the reference subgroup for comparisons. Associations of molecular subgroups and uterine risk factors with stage were examined in univariable and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Six hundred and four patients were included in the study. None of the POLE EDM tumours extended beyond the uterine cervix. In an unadjusted analysis, p53 abn was associated with increased risk for stage IIIC-IV disease [odds ratio (OR) 4.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-9.2; p < 0.0005]. When controlling for uterine risk factors (histotype and grade, depth of myometrial invasion, tumour size, lymphovascular space invasion), p53 was not an independent predictor of advanced disease. In contrast, POLE EDM independently predicted local disease (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.015-0.99; p = 0.049 for stage II-IV cancer). Of the molecular subgroups, p53 abn was most strongly associated with the presence of high-risk uterine factors (ORs between 2.2 and 19; p ≤ 0.010).

CONCLUSION

Of the TCGA-based molecular subgroups, POLE EDM independently predicted early-stage endometrial carcinoma. Although p53 abn was not an independent predictor of advanced disease, its association with uterine risk factors could allow utilization of molecular data in deciding the type of staging surgery if knowledge of uterine factors is deficient.

Impact of vaginal brachytherapy on survival in stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate trends in use of radiation therapy and its impact on overall survival in low- and high-grade stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with stage I endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy from 2004 to 2013 were identified through the National Cancer Database and classified as: stage IA G1/2, stage IA G3, stage IB G1/2, and stage IB G3. Trends in use of vaginal brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy were assessed. Overall survival was measured from surgery and estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The effect of radiation therapy on overall survival was assessed within each stage/grade group using Cox proportional hazards analysis in propensity-matched treatment groups.

RESULTS

A total of 132 393 patients met inclusion criteria, and 81% of patients had stage IA and 19% had stage IB endometrial cancer. Adjuvant therapy was administered in 18% of patients: 52% received vaginal brachytherapy, 30% external beam radiation therapy, and 18% chemotherapy ±radiation therapy. External beam radiation therapy use decreased from 9% in 2004 to 4% in 2012, while vaginal brachytherapy use increased from 8% to 14%. Stage IA G1/2 patients did not benefit from either external beam radiation therapy or vaginal brachytherapy, while administration of vaginal brachytherapy improved overall survival in stage IB G1/2 compared with no treatment (p<0.0001). In stage IB G1/2 and stage IA G3, vaginal brachytherapy was superior to external beam radiation therapy (p=0.0004 and p=0.004, respectively). Stage IB G3 patients had improved overall survival with either vaginal brachytherapy or external beam radiation therapy versus no treatment but no difference in overall survival was seen between vaginal brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy (p=0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

The delivery of adjuvant radiation therapy in patients with stage IA G1/2 endometrial carcinoma is not associated with improvement in overall survival. Patients with stage IB G1/2 and G3 as well as stage IA G3 are shown to benefit from improved overall survival when adjuvant radiation therapy is administered. These findings demonstrate potential opportunities to reduce both overtreatment and undertreatment in stage I endometrial cancer patients.

Factors predicting recurrence in patients with stage IA endometrioid endometrial cancer: what is the importance of LVSI?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to define the clinical and pathological prognostic factors for recurrence and to evaluate the recurrence patterns and adjuvant therapies used in this group of patients with stage IA endometrioid type endometrial cancer (FIGO 2009-International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics).

METHODS

Among the patients with epithelial endometrial cancer operated between January 1993 and May 2013 in a single institution, 720 patients with stage IA endometrioid endometrial cancer were included. Patients with a tumor type of serous, clear cell, mucinous, undifferentiated, and mixed type and with a tumor containing sarcomatous component and the patients with a secondary primer cancer were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Lympho-vascular space invasion (LVSI) was present in 60 (8.3%) patients. Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed in 266 (36.9%) patients. Median follow-up time was 48 months (range 3-240). Recurrence occurred in 23 (3.4%) patients and 6 (0.9%) died of disease. The median time-to recurrence (TTR) was 24 months (range 4-52 months) in the patients with recurrence. LVSI was associated with recurrence in the univariate analysis. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) decreased from 96.8 to 80.1% in the presence of LVSI (p < 0.001). This association could not be shown in patients who had had lymphadenectomy (p = 0.136). Extra-pelvic recurrence occurred in 6.7% and 1% of the patients with and without LVSI, respectively, (p = 0.001). Any independent prognostic factor could not be detected in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Only LVSI and tumor grade were associated with DFS and disease-specific survival (DSS), respectively, in the 686 patients with stage IA endometrial cancer in the univariate analysis, since these associations could not be shown in multivariate analysis.

Predictive Value of Kanagawa Cancer Center Scoring System for Lymph Node Metastasis and Need for Lymphadenectomy in Patients With Endometrial Cancer: A Validation Study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of Kanagawa Cancer Center (KCC) scoring system for lymph node metastasis and need for lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted during a 2-year period in a gynecologic oncology referral center in Southern Iran. We included a total number of 94 patients with endometrial cancer. Preoperative assessment included tumor volume, myometrium invasion, histology, and CA125. The KCC was calculated for all the patients. All the patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy along with dissection of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. The histopathology of the dissected lymph nodes was considered as criterion standard, and the predictive value of KCC was evaluated accordingly.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD age of the patients was 56.8 ± 10.2 years. Overall, 26 patients (27.7%) tested positive for lymph node involvement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of KCC for lymph node involvement was found to be 35.3%, 100%, 100%, and 64.7%, respectively. Overall, the predictive value according to the area under the curve measured by receiver operating characteristic curve was found to be 0.890 (0.823-0.956) indicative of moderate accuracy. Lymph node involvement was associated with higher Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P < 0.001), higher tumor volume (P = 0.003), higher histological subtype (P < 0.001), positive CA125 (P < 0.001), and higher KCC score (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The KCC scoring system has a moderate accuracy for predicting the lymph node involvement in patients with endometrial cancer.

Clinicopathologic Features and Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Stage I, High-Risk Histology or High-Grade Endometrial Cancer after Primary Staging Surgery: A Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

To investigate the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes in patients with stage I, high-risk endometrial cancer. Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I, papillary serous, clear cell, or grade 3 endometrioid carcinoma treated between 2000 and 2012 were analyzed for the clinical and pathological factors in relation to prognosis. A total of 267 patients (stage IA; n = 175, stage IB; n = 92) were included. Among the clinicopathological features, stage and age were significant prognostic factors. The recurrence rate and overall survival for stage IB versus IA were 22.8% versus 9.1% (p = 0.003) and 149.7 months versus 201.8 months (p < 0.001), respectively. The patients >60 years of age also had a higher recurrence rate (21.7% versus 9.7%, p = 0.008) and poorer survival (102.0 months versus 196.8 months, p = 0.001) than those ≤60 years of age. Distant recurrence (64.9%) occurred more frequently than local recurrence (24.3%) and local combined with distant recurrence (10.8%) (p < 0.001). The postoperative treatment modality had no impact on tumor recurrence rate, recurrence site, or overall survival. Distant recurrence is a major cause of treatment failure in patients with stage I, high-risk endometrial cancer. However, current adjuvant treatment appeared to have little effect in preventing its occurrence.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Assessments in the Management of Endometrial Carcinoma: A Retrospective Quality Assurance Review

Intraoperative assessment (IA) of uteri is often used to help determine whether to perform lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrial carcinoma. We sought to perform a quality assurance review of the practice of IA at our institution. In a 1-yr period, 107 hysterectomies had an IA performed. Grade of neoplasm in preoperative endometrial biopsy, neoplasm size, depth of myometrial invasion at IA, operative management, and final histologic features were recorded. Operative reports were reviewed to assess the surgeon's interpretation of the IA and the effect on surgical management. The sensitivity and specificity for IA of deep myometrial invasion (>50% myometrial thickness) compared with final histology was 76.9% and 91.1%. The positive predictive value was 71.4%, negative predictive value 93.2% and accuracy 88%. Neoplasm size was provided in 47% of cases. In 10% of patients lymphadenectomy was performed despite low-risk features. IA results were included in the operative report in 87% of cases. There were differences in 8.4% of cases between the IA diagnosis and the surgeon's operative report. IA of deep myometrial invasion is reliable at our institution. Several metrics for quality improvement have been identified as a result of this retrospective review. These include but are not limited to more reliable reporting of neoplasm size, documentation, and communication with gynecologic oncologists.

Prospective Nonrandomized Comparative Study of Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgical Staging for Endometrial Cancer in India

Laparoscopic procedures to treat endometrial cancer are currently emerging. At present, we have evidence to do laparoscopic oncologic resections for endometrial cancer as proven by many prospective studies from abroad such as LAP2 by GOG. So, we have decided to assess the safety and feasibility of such a study in our population with the following as our primary objectives: (1) to study whether laparoscopy is better compared to open approach in terms of duration of hospital stay, perioperative morbidity and early recovery from surgical trauma and (2) to study whether the laparoscopic approach is noninferior to the open approach in terms of number of lymph nodes harvested in lymphadenectomy and rate of conversion to open surgery. We did a prospective nonrandomized comparative study of open versus laparoscopy approach for surgical staging of endometrial cancer from 16th May 2013 to 15th May 2015. To prove a significant difference in the hospital stay, we needed 29 patients in each arm. Thirty patients in each arm were enrolled for the study. The median duration of stay in the open arm was 7 days and in the laparoscopy arm it was 5 days. The advantage of 2 days in the laparoscopic arm was statistically significant (P value 0.006). Forty percent of patients in the open arm had to stay in the hospital for more than 7 days whereas only 3% of patients in the laparoscopy arm required to stay for more than 7 days (P value 0.001). This difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the early complication rates between the two arms (20% in open vs. 13% in laparoscopy; P value 0.730). There was a conversion rate of 10% in laparoscopy. The median number of nodes harvested in open arm was 16.50 and in the laparoscopy arm, it was 13.50. The difference was not statistically significant (P value 0.086). Laparoscopy approach for endometrial cancer staging is feasible in Indian patients and the short-term advantages are replicable with same oncologic safety as proved by randomized controlled trials.

Identification of micro-RNA expression profile related to recurrence in women with ESMO low-risk endometrial cancer

Background

Actual European pathological classification of early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) may show insufficient accuracy to precisely stratify recurrence risk, leading to potential over or under treatment. Micro-RNAs are post-transcriptional regulators involved in carcinogenic mechanisms, with some micro-RNA patterns of expression associated with EC characteristics and prognosis. We previously demonstrated that downregulation of micro-RNA-184 was associated with lymph node involvement in low-risk EC (LREC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether micro-RNA signature in tumor tissues from LREC women can be correlated with the occurrence of recurrences.

Methods

MicroRNA expression was assessed by chip analysis and qRT-PCR in 7 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) LREC primary tumors from women whose follow up showed recurrences (R+) and in 14 FFPE LREC primary tumors from women whose follow up did not show any recurrence (R−), matched for grade and age. Various statistical analyses, including enrichment analysis and a minimum p-value approach, were performed.

Results

The expression levels of micro-RNAs-184, -497-5p, and -196b-3p were significantly lower in R+ compared to R− women. Women with a micro-RNA-184 fold change < 0.083 were more likely to show recurrence (n = 6; 66%) compared to those with a micro-RNA-184 fold change > 0.083 (n = 1; 8%), p = 0.016. Women with a micro-RNA-196 fold change < 0.56 were more likely to show recurrence (n = 5; 100%) compared to those with a micro-RNA-196 fold change > 0.56 (n = 2; 13%), p = 0.001.

Conclusions

These findings confirm the great interest of micro-RNA-184 as a prognostic tool to improve the management of LREC women.

Preoperative tumor size is associated with deep myometrial invasion and lymph node metastases and is a negative prognostic indicator for patients with endometrial carcinoma

We examined the usefulness of evaluating tumor size determined using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prognosis in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC). Patients (N = 184) with EC who underwent surgery at Shimane University Hospital between 1997 and 2013 were enrolled. We investigated the association between the tumor size of EC assessed prior to surgery by MRI (anteroposterior [AP], transverse [TV], and craniocaudal [CC] diameters) and various clinical parameters including deep myometrial invasion and lymph node metastases. We subsequently examined the prognostic significance of tumor size in patients with EC. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox's proportional hazards regression model. Multivariate analysis identified increased AP diameter as an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) (P = 0.037). A long AP diameter has prognostic value and the potential to be a predictive marker for surgical outcomes in patients with EC. Furthermore, AP diameter exhibited the greatest area under the curve (AUC) (0.727) for deep myometrial invasion, and CC diameter had the greatest AUC for lymph node metastases (0.854). Evaluation of tumor size parameters may aid in the identification of high-risk populations, which could improve treatment selection and patient outcomes.

Investigation of the clinical features of lower uterine segment carcinoma: association with advanced stage disease and indication of poorer prognosis

PURPOSE

We retrospectively analyzed the differential clinical features and prognosis of endometrial carcinomas arising from the lower uterus, which are reported to have a poorer prognosis than those arising from the upper uterus.

METHODS

246 patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent surgery were entered as subjects.

RESULTS

Twenty-three were classified as having lower uterine segment carcinomas (LUSC); the remaining 223 were upper uterine segment carcinomas (UUSC). LUSC cases were associated with a more advanced FIGO stage than UUSC (p < 0.001). Deep myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis were more common in LUSC than in UUSC (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively). LUSC cases demonstrated significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than UUSC (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that the hazard ratio for LUSC was 1.769 for OS and 3.479 for PFS. For endometrial carcinoma survival, FIGO stage and histological type were extracted as independent variables.

CONCLUSIONS

LUSC is a high-risk indicator for poorer prognosis for endometrial carcinoma because it is associated with more advanced stage disease, deep myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis, and indicates a significantly worsened PFS probability. Our analysis concludes that LUSC is FIGO stage-dependent and an important factor for OS.

Vaginal cuff brachytherapy in endometrial cancer - a technically easy treatment?

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers among women in the developed countries. Vaginal cuff is the main location of relapses after a curative surgical procedure and postoperative radiation therapy have proven to diminish it. Nevertheless, these results have not translated into better survival results. The preeminent place of vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VCB) in the postoperative treatment of high- to intermediate-risk EC was given by the PORTEC-2 trial, which demonstrated a similar reduction in relapses with VCB than with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), but VCB induced less late toxicity. As a result of this trial, the use of VCB has increased in clinical practice at the expense of EBRT. A majority of the clinical reviews of VCB usually address the risk categories and patient selection but pay little attention to technical aspects of the VCB procedure. Our review aimed to address both aspects. First of all, we described the risk groups, which guide patient selection for VCB in clinical practice. Then, we depicted several technical aspects that might influence dose deposition and toxicity. Bladder distension and rectal distension as well as applicator position or patient position are some of those variables that we reviewed.

Prediction of Site-Specific Tumor Relapses in Patients With Stage I-II Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of predictors of an advanced disease and/or poor outcome with the occurrence of tumor relapses in different anatomical sites in patients with stage I-II endometrioid endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A total of 929 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 57 months (range, 1-108 months). The studied variables were: poor tumor differentiation, myometrial invasion 50% or greater, tumor size 3 cm or greater, lymphovascular space invasion, cervical stromal invasion, positive peritoneal cytology, old age (>77 years), obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m), and diabetes.

RESULTS

A relapse was diagnosed in 98 patients (10.5%) (vaginal in 15, pelvic in 27, intra-abdominal beyond the pelvis in 27, extra-abdominal in 29). None of the variables were associated with an altered risk of vaginal or pelvic relapses in univariate analyses. Poor differentiation, myometrial invasion 50% or greater, tumor size 3 cm or greater, and positive peritoneal cytology were associated with an increased risk of intra-abdominal relapses beyond the pelvis (odds ratios [ORs] between 2.2 and 9.6). With the exception of obesity and diabetes, all variables were associated with an increased risk of extra-abdominal relapses (ORs between 2.3 and 13). Tumor size 3 cm or greater (OR, 3.1) and positive peritoneal cytology (OR, 16) predicted intra-abdominal relapses beyond the pelvis in multivariate analysis, whereas poor differentiation (OR, 2.9), myometrial invasion 50% or greater (OR, 4.0), and positive peritoneal cytology (OR, 27) predicted extra-abdominal relapses. Compared with vaginal relapses, intra-abdominal relapses beyond the pelvis and extra-abdominal relapses were associated with a worse disease-specific survival. Survival of patients with a pelvic relapse did not differ from that of patients with a vaginal relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk variables of endometrial cancer are differently associated with relapses in different locations. Our findings may promote studies that explore the most efficient adjuvant therapy in high-risk early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Detection of circulating tumour cells may add value in endometrial cancer management

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC).

STUDY DESIGN

This study included 40 patients with a pre-operative diagnosis of high-risk EC between April 2015 and May 2016. Patients were further divided into high-risk (grade 3, non-endometrioid, myometrial invasion ≥1/2 and stage III-IV) and high-intermediate-risk (grade 2-3, endometrioid, myometrial invasion <1/2 and stage I-II) groups according to postoperative pathological results. CTCs were detected using the CellSearch system, and CTC results were correlated with standard clinicopathological characteristics and serum tumour marker CA125/HE4 status using Chi-squared test, continuity correction or Fisher's exact test. The pharmacodynamic effect was detected after the first cycle of adjuvant therapy. Patients were followed up for 13 months to assess outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifteen percent of patients had one or more CTCs. The presence of CTCs was found to be significantly associated with cervical involvement (83.33% vs 11.76%, p=0.00). No significant difference in CTC-positive rates was detected between the high-risk and high-intermediate-risk groups, and no significant correlation was found between CTCs and serum CA125/HE4, either by positive rates or exact serum levels of the conventional tumour markers. No more CTCs were detected after the first cycle of standard chemotherapy in this study, and no distant metastases or recurrence were found in the CTC-positive patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The presence of CTCs was correlated with cervical involvement. Early-stage EC patients with CTCs may benefit from additional adjuvant therapies. Assessment of CTCs may be useful in the management of high-risk EC patients.

Analysis of recurrence and survival rates in grade 3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

The aim of the present study was to determine risk factors associated with recurrence and survival in patients with grade 3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (G3EEC). A retrospective analysis of 117 patients with G3EEC, who were admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University between January 2000 and December 2011, was performed. The χ² test or Fisher's exact test were used for the comparison of categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier method was used for estimating recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the prognostic significance of various patient characteristics. In 117 patients, 16 patients (13.7%) had tumor recurrence, of which 6 (37.5%) developed local-regional recurrence and 10 (62.5%) developed distant recurrence. Out of the 16 patients with tumor recurrence, 14 (87.5%) had a recurrence within 3 years of surgery. Statistically significant characteristics affecting RFS, DSS and OS rates were outer half myometrial invasion (MI ≥50%), advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, positive lymph node metastasis (PLNM), lymph vascular space invasion, adnexal involvement and characterization as a high-risk group, according to the Gynecologic Oncology Group 99 stratification algorithm. RFS was associated with the depth of cervical mucosa (stromal) involvement. Furthermore, in the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, significant independent adverse factors for RFS and DSS included MI ≥50% and adnexal involvement. For OS, there were no statistically significant prognostic factors. In conclusion, MI ≥50% and adnexal involvement are independent prognostic factors for RFS and DSS in G3EEC patients.

Staging of High-Risk Endometrial Cancer With PET/CT and Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PET/CT and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in staging high-risk endometrial cancer patients (G2 and deep myometrial invasion, G3, serous clear cell carcinoma or carcinosarcoma) in early clinical stage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2006 to December 2012, high-risk early-stage endometrial cancer patients performing PET/CT scan followed by surgery (systematic pelvic ± aortic lymphadenectomy) were included. From December 2010, SLN mapping with Tc-albumin nanocolloid and blue dye cervical injection was included in our clinical practice and additionally performed. Histological findings were used as the reference standard.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients were included, of which 22 of 93 had both PET/CT and SLN biopsy. The median number of dissected lymph nodes (LNs) was 28. Nineteen women (20.4%) had pelvic LN metastases; 14 were correctly identified by PET/CT. Among 5 false-negative cases, 3 occurred after the introduction of SLN mapping due to detection of micrometastases by ultrastaging. On overall patient-based analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PET/CT for pelvic LN metastases were 73.7%, 98.7%, 93.6%, 93.3%, 93.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PET/CT demonstrated moderate sensitivity and high specificity in detecting pelvic LN metastases; its high positive predictive value (93.3%) is useful to refer patients to appropriate debulking surgery. Sentinel LN mapping and histological ultrastaging increased the identification of metastases (incidence, 18.3%-27.3%) not detectable by PET/CT because of its spatial resolution. The combination of both modalities is promising for nodal staging purpose.

Magnitude of risk for nodal metastasis associated with lymphvascular space invasion for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

While lymphvascular space invasion (LVSI) is a risk factor for nodal metastasis in endometrial cancer, the magnitude of risk is poorly described. We examined the risk of nodal metastasis associated with LVSI for various combinations of tumor grade and depth of invasion and examined the effect of LVSI on survival.

METHODS

We identified patients with T1A (<50% myoinvasion) and T1B (>50% myoinvasion) endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the endometrium diagnosed between 2010 and 2012 and recorded in the National Cancer Database. The risk of nodal metastasis associated with LVSI stratified by grade and stage is reported. The association of LVSI and survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

We identified 25,907 patients, including 3928 (15.2%) with LVSI. Among patients with LVSI, 21.0% had positive lymph nodes, compared to 2.1% in patients without LVSI (P<0.0001). In analyses stratified by stage and grade, LVSI was associated with increased risks of LN metastasis by a magnitude of 3 to over 10-fold. In a multivariable model controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics, the risk ratio of nodal disease with LVSI was 9.29 (95% CI, 7.29-11.84) for T1A tumors and 4.64 (95% CI 3.99-5.39) for T1B tumors. LVSI was associated with decreased survival even after adjustment for the presence of lymph node metastases (HR=1.92, 95% CI 1.56-2.36).

CONCLUSIONS

LVSI is independently associated with lymph node metastases in women with apparent early-stage endometrial cancer and an independent predictor of survival even after adjustment for the presence of lymph node metastases.

Preoperative tumor size at MRI predicts deep myometrial invasion, lymph node metastases, and patient outcome in endometrial carcinomas

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the relation between preoperative tumor size based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the surgical pathologic staging parameters (deep myometrial invasion, cervical stroma invasion, and metastatic lymph nodes) and to assess the prognostic impact of tumor size in endometrial carcinomas. Interobserver variability for the different tumor size measurements was also assessed.

Methods/Materials

Preoperative pelvic MRI of 212 patients with histologically confirmed endometrial carcinomas was read independently by 3 radiologists. Maximum tumor diameters were measured in 3 orthogonal planes (anteroposterior, transverse, and craniocaudal planes [CC]), and tumor volumes were estimated. Tumor size was analyzed in relation to surgical staging results and patient survival. The multivariate analyses were adjusted for preoperative risk status based on endometrial biopsy. Intraclass correlation coefficients and receiver operating characteristics curves for the different tumor measurements were also calculated.

Results

Anteroposterior tumor diameter independently predicted deep myometrial invasion (P < 0.001), whereas CC tumor diameter tended to independently predict lymph node metastases (P = 0.06). Based on receiver operating characteristic curves, the following tumor size cutoff values were identified: anteroposterior diameter greater than 2 cm predicted deep myometrial invasion (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 12.4; P < 0.001; adjusted OR, 6.7; P < 0.001) and CC diameter greater than 4 cm predicted lymph node metastases (unadjusted OR, 6.2; P < 0.001; adjusted OR, 4.9; P = 0.009). Large tumor size was associated with reduced progression/recurrence-free survival (P ≤ 0.005 for all size parameters), and CC diameter had an independent impact on survival (adjusted hazards ratio, 1.04; P = 0.009). The interobserver variability for the different size measurements was very low (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.78–0.85).

Conclusions

Anteroposterior tumor diameter greater than 2 cm predicts deep myometrial invasion, and CC tumor diameter greater than 4 cm predicts lymph node metastases. Tumor size is a strong prognostic factor in endometrial carcinomas. Preoperative tumor measurements based on MRI may potentially improve preoperative risk stratification models and thus enable better tailored surgical treatment in endometrial cancer.

Predictive Modeling: A New Paradigm for Managing Endometrial Cancer

With the abundance of new options in diagnostic and treatment modalities, a shift in the medical decision process for endometrial cancer (EC) has been observed. The emergence of individualized medicine and the increasing complexity of available medical data has lead to the development of several prediction models. In EC, those clinical models (algorithms, nomograms, and risk scoring systems) have been reported, especially for stratifying and subgrouping patients, with various unanswered questions regarding such things as the optimal surgical staging for lymph node metastasis as well as the assessment of recurrence and survival outcomes. In this review, we highlight existing prognostic and predictive models in EC, with a specific focus on their clinical applicability. We also discuss the methodologic aspects of the development of such predictive models and the steps that are required to integrate these tools into clinical decision making. In the future, the emerging field of molecular or biochemical markers research may substantially improve predictive and treatment approaches.

Staging for endometrial cancer: The controversy around lymphadenectomy - Can this be resolved?

Endometrial cancer remains the most common malignancy of the female genital tract. Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors, and stratification into pelvic lymph node invasion (stage IIIC1) and para-aortic lymph node invasion (stage IIIC2) improved the predictive value of the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification. Radiological examination methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography do not have good-enough sensitivity to avoid lymphadenectomy for the assessment of lymph node invasion. Prediction scores are becoming increasingly valuable to exclude lymph node metastasis in low-risk groups, and biomarkers could help to identify patients with high-risk lymph node metastatic probability. The therapeutic role of lymph node dissection remains a matter of debate. Several end points can be considered to evaluate the opportunity of lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer. First, we compare survival according to the realization, the extent, and the numbers of nodes removed during lymphadenectomy. Second, we assess the opportunity of lymphadenectomy in order to tailor adjuvant treatment modalities. Third, we analyze the surgical complication rate after pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Multiple recurrences of early-stage, endometrioid-type G2 endometrial cancer with a long-time follow-up: A case study

The recurrence after a long-time free period of time, in women primarily operated on for early-stage of endometrial cancer (EC), is a unique phenomenon. Currently, we present the case of a 59-year-old woman with multiple recurrences from the moderately-differentiated, stage Ib, endometrioid-type, uterine cancer. All recurrences were pathologically proven to originate from the primary tumor, and the patient expired 12 years after the primary surgery for disseminated neoplasm. We summarize the current data to give a short overview of the role of late recurrences in women operated on for early-stage EC.

Just how accurate are the major risk stratification systems for early-stage endometrial cancer?

BACKGROUND

To compare the accuracy of five major risk stratification systems (RSS) in classifying the risk of recurrence and nodal metastases in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

Data of 553 patients with early-stage EC were abstracted from a prospective multicentre database between January 2001 and December 2012. The following RSS were identified in a PubMed literature search and included the Post Operative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC-1), the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)-99, the Survival effect of para-aortic lymphadenectomy (SEPAL), the ESMO and the ESMO-modified classifications. The accuracy of each RSS was evaluated in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and nodal metastases according to discrimination.

RESULTS

Overall, the ESMO -modified RSS provided the highest discrimination for both RFS and for nodal metastases with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.70-0.76) and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 (0.78-0.72), respectively. The other RSS performed as follows: the PORTEC1, GOG-99, SEPAL, ESMO classifications gave a C-index of 0.68 (0.66-0.70), 0.65 (0.63-0.67), 0.66 (0.63-0.69), 0.71 (0.68-0.74), respectively, for RFS and an AUC of 0.69 (0.66-0.72), 0.69 (0.67-0.71), 0.68 (0.66-0.70), 0.70 (0.68-0.72), respectively, for node metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the five major RSS showed high accuracy in stratifying the risk of recurrence or nodal metastases in patients with early-stage EC, although the ESMO-modified classification emerged as having the highest power of discrimination for both parameters. Therefore, there is a need to revisit existing RSS using additional tools such as biological markers to better stratify risk for 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.

Lymph node metastasis and pattern of recurrence in clinically early stage endometrial cancer with positive lymphovascular space invasion

Objective

To investigate the rate, predictors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and pattern of recurrence in clinically early stage endometrial cancer (EC) with positive lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI).

Methods

Women with clinically early stage EC and positive LVSI 2005 to 2012 were identified. Kaplan-Meier curves and logistic regression models were used.

Results

One hundred forty-eight women were identified. Of them, 25.7% had LNM (21.7% pelvic LNM, 18.5% para-aortic LNM). Among patients with LNM who had both pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, isolated pelvic, para-aortic and both LNM were noted in 51.4%, 17.1%, and 31.4% respectively. Age and depth of myometrial invasion were significant predictors of LNM in LVSI positive EC. Node positive patients had high recurrence rate (47% vs. 11.8%, p<0.05) especially distant (60.9% vs. 7.9%, p<0.001) and para-aortic (13.2% vs. 1.8%, p=0.017) recurrences compared to node negative EC. LNM was associated with lower progression-free survival (p=0.002) but not overall survival (p=0.73).

Conclusion

EC with positive LVSI is associated with high risk of LNM. LNM is associated with high recurrence rate especially distant and para-aortic recurrences. Adjuvant treatments should target prevention of recurrences in these areas.

DNA methylation as a biomarker for the detection of hidden carcinoma in endometrial atypical hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

Women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) are often found to have endometrial carcinoma (EC) at hysterectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the hypermethylation of specific genes found by methylomic approaches to the study of gynecologic cancers is a biomarker for EC in women with AH.

METHODS

We evaluated the methylation of AJAP1, HS3ST2, SOX1, and PTGDR from 61 AH patients undergoing hysterectomy. Endometrial biopsy samples were analyzed by bisulfite conversion and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. A methylation index was used to predict the presence of cancer. To confirm the silencing effects of DNA methylation, immunohistochemical analysis of AJAP1, HS3ST2, and SOX1 was performed using tissue microarray.

RESULTS

Fourteen (23%) patients had EC at hysterectomy. AJAP1, HS3ST2, and SOX1 were highly methylated in the EC patients' biopsy samples (p≤0.023). AJAP1, HS3ST2, and SOX1 protein expression was significantly higher in patients with AH only (p≤0.038). The predictive value of AJAP1, HS3ST2, and SOX1 methylation for EC was 0.81, 0.72, and 0.70, respectively. Combined testing of both AJAP1 and HS3ST2 methylation had a positive predictive value of 56%, methylation of any one of AJAP1, SOX1, or HS3ST2 had a 100% negative predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypermethylation of AJAP1, HS3ST2, and SOX1 is predictive of EC in AH patients. Testing for methylation of these genes in endometrial biopsy samples may be a hysterectomy-sparing diagnostic tool. Validation of these new genes as biomarkers for AH screening in a larger population-based study is warranted.

The effect of lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy on recurrence and survival in endometrial carcinoma. Experience in a population reference centre

AIM

To evaluate the effect of lymphadenectomy and/or radiotherapy on recurrence and survival patterns in endometrial carcinoma (EC) in a radiotherapy reference centre population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective population-based review was conducted on 261 patients with stages I-III EC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Both recurrence and survival were analysed according to patient age, FIGO stage, tumour size, myometrial invasion, tumour grade, lymphadenectomy, external beam irradiation (EBI), and brachytherapy (BT).

RESULTS

Median age: 64.8 years. Median follow-up: 151 months. The following treatments were administered: surgery, 97.32%; lymph-node dissection, 54.4%; radiotherapy, 162 patients (62%) (EBI and BT: 64.1%, BT alone: 30.2%, EBI alone: 5.6%). Twenty-six patients (9.96%) suffered loco-regional recurrence, whilst 27 (10.34%) suffered distant failure. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for all stages was 80.1%. The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) was 92.1% for all patients. The 10-year DFS was 89.9%. The independent significant prognostic factors for a good outcome identified through the multivariate analysis were: age <75 years (p = 0.001); tumour size ≤2 cm (p = 0.003); myometrial invasion ≤50% (p = 0.011); lymphadenectomy (p = 0.02); EBI (p = 0.001); and BT (p = 0.031). Toxicity occurred in 114 of the 162 patients who received radiotherapy (70.5%). The toxicity was mainly acute, and late in only 28.3% (n = 45) of cases. The majority experienced G1-2 toxicity, and only 3% of patients experienced G3 late toxicity (5/162).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that age <75 years, tumour size ≤2 cm, myometrial invasion ≤50%, lymphadenectomy, EBI, and BT, are predictors of a good outcome in EC.

Lymph node status did not significantly improve the predictability of survival in patients with clinically early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether knowledge of lymph node status improves survival prediction in clinically early-stage endometrial cancer.

METHODS

The records of 661 patients with apparently uterine-confined disease were reviewed. The performance in predicting overall survival and cause-specific survival was compared between a multivariate prognostic model with nodal status and a model without nodal status by calculating Harrell concordance index.

RESULTS

Among 661 patients with clinically early-stage endometrial cancer, the lymph node metastasis rate was 8.3% (55/661). Lymph node metastasis independently associated with cause-specific survival only when no stratification according to adjuvant treatment was applied (P = 0.035). After stratification according to adjuvant radiotherapy, lymph node status marginally associated with cause-specific survival (P = 0.073), whereas myometrial invasion retained its strong association with cause-specific survival (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the performance of the survival model using only uterine factors and the model using lymph node status and uterine factors (concordance index, 0.77 vs 0.77, respectively; P = 0.798).

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of lymph node status did not significantly improve the performance of survival prediction in apparently uterine-confined endometrial cancer, although it was independently associated with survival. In the patients with clinically early-stage endometrial cancer, the accuracy of the prediction of survival was comparable between risk grouping without lymph node status and that including lymph node status.

A clue towards improving the European Society of Medical Oncology risk group classification in apparent early stage endometrial cancer? Impact of lymphovascular space invasion

Background:

Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is one of the most important predictors of nodal involvement and recurrence in early stage endometrial cancer (EC). Despite its demonstrated prognostic value, LVSI has not been incorporated into the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) classification. The aim of this prospective multicentre database study is to investigate whether it may improve the accuracy of the ESMO classification in predicting the recurrence risk.

Methods:

Data of 496 patients with apparent early-stage EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from prospective multicentre database. A modified ESMO classification including six risk groups was created after inclusion of the LVSI status in the ESMO classification. The primary end point was the recurrence accuracy comparison between the ESMO and the modified ESMO classifications with respect to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results:

The recurrence rate in the whole population was 16.1%. The median follow-up and recurrence time were 31 (range: 1–152) and 27 (range: 1–134) months, respectively. Considering the ESMO modified classification, the recurrence rates were 8.2% (8 out of 98), 23.1% (15 out of 65), 25.9% (15 out of 58), and 45.1% (28 out of 62) for intermediate risk/LVSI−, intermediate risk/LVSI+, high risk/LVSI−, and high risk/LVSI+, respectively (P<0.001). In the low risk group, LVSI status was not discriminant as only 7.0% (14 out of 213) had LVSI+. The staging accuracy according to AUC criteria for ESMO and ESMO modified classifications were of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.68–0.74) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71–0.77), respectively.

Conclusions:

The current modified classification could be helpful to better define indications for nodal staging and adjuvant therapy, especially for patients with intermediate risk EC.

The risk and pattern of pelvic and para aortic lymph nodal metastasis in patients with intermediate and high risk endometrial cancer

There is a continuous debate about the extent and prognostic value of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer. Systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer provides a more accurate assessment of neoplastic spread and may help in better individualization of patients for adjuvant therapy. To evaluate the risk and pattern of retroperitoneal lymph nodes metastasis in patients with endometrial cancers having intermediate and high risk factors for nodal metastasis and recurrence. We conducted a prospective nonrandomized study of 62 cases of high risk endometrial cancers examined and treated at our regional cancer institute between the years 2008 and 2012. The inclusion criteria: The intermediate risk; all patients having grade 3 or undifferentiated adenocarcinomas with less than half MI and the grade 1, 2 tumors having more than half MI with tumor size >2 cm. The high risk group; all the patients having grade 3 or undifferentiated adenocarcinomas with more than half MI, the grade 1, 2 tumors with lymph vascular space invasion (LVSI) or cervical stromal invasion as depicted by pre-operative MRI. The type 2 histology uterine papillary serous, clear cell and squamous cell carcinomas. The patients staging was carried out according to the classification established by the FIGO for endometrial cancer in 2009. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between tumor grade, myometrial invasion, size of the lesion and lymph nodes metastasis and Fisher's correction done whenever the frequency distribution was less than five. The patients mean age was 58.3 (range 31 to 76 years). A total of 118 endometrial cancer patients were treated during the study period. The 56 (47.5 %) patients belonged to low risk and 62 (52.5 %) patients belonged to high risk endometrial cancers. The 52 of 62 cases were eligible for the analysis. The 10 patients' were excluded from further analysis as the post operative specimens final histopathologic examinations in nine cases revealed carcinosarcoma uterus and one case with yolk sac tumor of endometrium. The total 17(32.7 %) of 52 cases had retroperitoneal nodes metastasis; nine of 17 (52.9 %) in this group had both pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodal metastasis and one of 17 (5.9 %) had isolated para-aortic lymph nodal metastasis. The high grade tumors (grade 3) revealed 41.4 % pelvic and 20.7 % para-aortic lymph nodes metastasis and there was statistically significant higher nodal metastasis in both pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes with increasing depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.0119 and P = 0.0001) and increasing size of the lesion. (P = 0.04 and P = 0.0501). The intermediate and high risk endometrial cancer is associated with greater degree of lymph node metastasis. A complete surgical staging which involves extrafascial hysterectomy or a type 3 radical hysterectomy when there is a cervical involvement, along with bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy, pelvic, para-aortic lymphadenectomy and an omentectomy when indicated as in the present study, is a valuable modality of treatment in intermediate and high risk cases of endometrial cancers for determining the prognosis and appropriate categorization of these women for adjuvant therapy. It is also possible to achieve a complete surgical staging in these groups of women with acceptable morbidity when performed by a trained gynaecologic oncologist.

Bone Metastasis in Primary Endometrial Carcinoma: Features, Outcomes, and Predictors

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes and to assess the predictors associated with prognosis in endometrial carcinoma that developed bone metastasis.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records was performed to identify the patients with endometrial carcinoma who developed bone metastasis between October 1994 and May 2012.

Results

Of the 1185 patients with endometrial carcinoma, 22 (1.8%) were identified with bone metastasis, and 21 patients were analyzed in the study. Seventeen (80.9%) patients had advanced-stage disease (2009 International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians stages III-IV). Four (19.0%) patients had a bone lesion at the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The median time of recurrence to the bone in 17 patients was 9 months (range, 2–43 months). The median overall survival (OS) and survival after bone metastasis of the entire cohort were 33 months (range, 9–57 months) and 15 months (range, 12–17 months), respectively. The patients with bone metastasis at recurrence had significantly longer OS than those patients with bone metastasis at diagnosis of endometrial cancer (36 vs 13 months; P = 0.042). Metastasis to extrapelvic bone was significantly associated with longer OS (46 vs 19 months; P = 0.001) and longer survival after bone metastasis (25 vs 12 months; P = 0.002). Isolated bone recurrence without extraosseous metastases and extrapelvic bone metastasis revealed independent predictors for survival after bone metastasis (hazard ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.67; P = 0.019 and hazard ratio, 0.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.53; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

In endometrial carcinoma that develops bone metastasis, isolated bone recurrence and extrapelvic bone metastasis are significant predictors of prolonged survival after the diagnosis of bone metastasis. Further researches on the optimal treatment modality and factors that have the clinical implications are warranted.

The impact of lymph vascular space invasion on recurrence and survival in patients with early stage endometrial cancer

The aim of this study was to determine impact of lymph vascular space involvement (LVSI) on recurrence and survival in early stage of endometrial cancer. From 1991 through 2010, all endometrial cancer patients at University Hospital of Bari, Italy were identified. The Log-rank test and Kaplan-Meyer methods were used for time-to-event analysis to evaluate the effects of on lymph vascular space involvement recurrence rate and survival time. Of the 560 endometrial cancer patients, 525 underwent primary surgery. Of those, 399 had early stage disease. Three hundred and forty women were not found to have LVSI, whereas 59 were found to have lymph vascular space involvement. Forty-nine (12%) patients developed a recurrence and 20 of them showed lymph vascular space involvement. The statistical analysis demonstrated that LVSI was strongly associated with a poor survival (P < 0.0001). Lymph vascular space involvement is associated with a high risk of recurrence and poor overall survival in early stage of endometrial cancer; therefore, the clinical decision to decide whether or not a patient with early stage endometrial cancer should receive adjuvant therapy should be included the evaluation of lymph vascular space involvement.

An external validation study of nomograms designed to predict isolated loco-regional and distant endometrial cancer recurrences: how applicable are they?

Background:

To externally validate and assess the robustness of two nomograms to predict the recurrence risk of women with endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods:

Using an independent, multicentre external patient cohort we assessed the discrimination and calibration of two nomograms – the 3-year isolated loco-regional (ILRR) and distant (DR) recurrence nomograms – in women with surgically treated stage I–III EC.

Results:

Two hundred and seventy one eligible women were identified from two university hospital databases and the Senti-Endo trial. The median follow-up and initial recurrence time were 38.1 (range: 12–69) and 22.0 (range: 8.3–55) months, respectively. The overall recurrence rate was 13.8% (37 out of 271). Predictive accuracy according to the discrimination was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.58–0.79) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60–0.71) for the 3-year ILRR and DR nomograms, respectively. The correspondence between observed recurrence rate and the nomogram predictions suggests a moderate calibration of the nomograms in the validation cohort.

Conclusion:

The nomograms were externally validated and shown to be partly generalisable to a new and independent patient population. The tools need to be improved by including information on the lymph node status and adjuvant therapies.

Association between tumor diameter and lymphovascular space invasion among women with early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between tumor diameter and intratumoral risk factors that might predict the need for full surgical staging among women with endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

Data from patients with early-stage EC treated at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy, between January 2004 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Associations between tumor diameter and tumor grade, myometrial invasion, risk group, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and lower uterine segment (LUS) involvement were assessed by bivariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 181 patients met the inclusion criteria. The tumor diameter was 2cm or less in 110 women (60%). χ(2) analysis showed that tumor grading, myometrial invasion, risk group, and LVSI were significantly associated with tumor size (P<0.001), whereas LUS involvement was marginally associated (P=0.051). By multivariate analysis, LVSI and myometrial invasion had an independent association with tumor size greater than 2cm (P<0.018).

CONCLUSION

Tumor size greater than 2cm was significantly and independently associated with LVSI and myometrial invasion among patients with early-stage EC. Given the difficulty of obtaining reliable LVSI data from frozen sections, tumor size might be used as a surrogate at the time of surgery to provide additional information to triage patients for full surgical staging.

Tailoring systematic lymphadenectomy in high-risk clinical early stage endometrial cancer: the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of FDG PET/CT in the preoperative N-staging of high-risk clinical stage I endometrial cancer. The correlation between the metabolic characteristics of endometrial tumor uptake as predictors of a) lymph-node (LN) metastases and b) recurrence, was also evaluated.

METHODS

Seventy-six high-risk (G2 with deep myometrial invasion, G3, serous/clear-cell carcinoma) clinical stage I endometrial cancer patients underwent preoperative PET/CT scan followed by total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and lymphadenectomy. PET/CT images were analyzed and correlated to histological findings. Maximal and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax, SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG, defined as the product between SUVmean and MTV) of endometrial lesions were calculated and correlated to: a) presence of LN metastases, b) recurrences.

RESULTS

PET/CT resulted positive at LNs in 12/76 patients: 11/12 truly positive, 1/12 falsely positive. Conversely PET/CT was negative in 64/76 patients: 61/64 truly negative and 3/64 falsely negative. On pt-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of PET/CT in detecting LN metastases were 78.6%, 98.4%, 94.7%, 91.7%, 95.3%, respectively. A significant association was found between the presence of LN metastases and SUVmax (p=0.038), MTV (p=0.007), TLG (p=0.003) of the primary tumor. No correlations were found between the metabolic parameters and relapse (median follow-up 25.4months).

CONCLUSIONS

In high-risk clinical stage I endometrial cancer FDG PET/CT demonstrated moderate sensitivity, high specificity and accuracy for the nodal status assessment. SUVmax, MTV and TLG of the primary tumor are significantly correlated to LN metastases, while none of these parameters is predictor of recurrence.

Predictors and costs of surgical site infections in patients with endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Technological advances in surgical management of endometrial cancer (EC) may allow for novel risk modification in surgical site infection (SSI).

METHODS

Perioperative variables were abstracted from EC cases surgically staged between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2008. Primary outcome was SSI, as defined by American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Counseling and global models were built to assess perioperative predictors of superficial incisional SSI and organ/space SSI. Thirty-day cost of SSI was calculated.

RESULTS

Among 1369 EC patients, 136 (9.9%) had SSI. In the counseling model, significant predictors of superficial incisional SSI were obesity, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >2, preoperative anemia (hematocrit <36%), and laparotomy. In the global model, significant predictors of superficial incisional SSI were obesity, ASA score >2, smoking, laparotomy, and intraoperative transfusion. Counseling model predictors of organ/space SSI were older age, smoking, preoperative glucose >110 mg/dL, and prior methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Global predictors of organ/space SSI were older age, smoking, vascular disease, prior MRSA infection, greater estimated blood loss, and lymphadenectomy or bowel resection. SSI resulted in a $5447 median increase in 30-day cost.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings are useful to individualize preoperative risk counseling. Hyperglycemia and smoking are modifiable, and minimally invasive surgical approaches should be the preferred surgical route because they decrease SSI events. Judicious use of lymphadenectomy may decrease SSI. Thirty-day postoperative costs are considerably increased when SSI occurs.

Retrospective analysis of prognostic variables and clinical outcomes in surgically staged intermediate risk endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To identify independent prognostic variables for surgically staged intermediate risk endometrial carcinoma as defined by the Gynecologic Oncology Group 99 (GOG99) criteria.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study of 239 patients with FIGO stage IB-occult IIB endometrioid type endometrial cancer, who were primarily treated with comprehensive staging surgery. Data were collected on clinicopathological variables, extent of primary surgery, postoperative adjuvant treatment, and patterns of recurrences. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify independent prognostic variables. The median follow-up time was 67 months (range, 12-183 months).

RESULTS

The 5-year DFS and OS were 91.0% and 93.0%, respectively. On univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis, age>60 years, deep myometrial invasion (MI), presence of lymph vascular invasion (LVSI), and negative progesterone receptor (PR) status were significantly associated with diminished 5-year DFS and OS. The univariate analysis on patterns of failures demonstrated that patients with older age or positive LVSI were more inclined to develop locoregional recurrence, while PR status and the depth of MI had a statistically significant impact on distant failure. On multivariate analysis, PR status, age, and the depth of MI were independent prognostic variables for 5-year DFS, and age was the only independent prognostic variable for 5-year OS. LVSI and age were independent prognostic variables for locoregional recurrence, while PR status and depth of MI were independent prognostic variables for distant recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, depth of MI, PR status and presence of LVSI are of independent prognostic value for intermediate risk endometrial cancer. The presence of these variables warrants consideration when deciding upon treatment strategies.

Risk factors for recurrence amongst high intermediate risk patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma

Objective

To determine risk factors associated with recurrence in patients with high intermediate risk (HIR) endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with HIR endometrioid adenocarcinoma who underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy at the University of Pennsylvania between 1990 and 2009 was performed.

Results

A total of 103 women with HIR endometrial cancer were identified. Multivariable analysis revealed that ≥2/3 myometrial invasion (HR, 4.79; p=0.010) and grade 3 disease (HR, 3.04; p=0.045) were independently predictive of distant metastases. The 5-year distant metastases free survival (DMFS) for patients with neither or one of these risk factors was 89%, and the 5-year DMFS for patients with both risk factors was 48% (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with both grade 3 disease and deep third myometrial invasion have a high risk of distant metastases. Identifying these patients may be important in rationally selecting patients for systemic therapy.