Management of endometrial cancer in Italy: A national survey endorsed by the Italian Society of Gynecologic Oncology

Optimizing Outcomes through a Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Endometrial Cancer

This study aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach on outcomes with endometrial cancer (EC) patients, utilizing 2013-2020 data from the Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry. Recurrence rate, treatments, and outcome indicators were compared between the MDT (319 cases) and non-MDT (324 cases) groups. Among 643 cases, 52.4% were over 65 years old, 98% had microscopic confirmation, and 73% were in stage I. Surgery was performed in 89%, with 41% receiving adjuvant therapies. Recurrence rates (10%) were similar between the two groups, but MDT patients who were older and predominantly in stage I exhibited 79% recurrence within one year (21% in the non-MDT group). Disease-free survival (DFS) showed no significant difference [HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7-1.6], while differences in overall survival (OS) were notable [HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.4]. The 5-year OS rates were 87% and 79% in the MDT and non-MDT groups. Comparing the 2013-2015 to 2016-2020 study periods, a shift towards caring for older women, more advanced-stage patients, and those residing outside the metropolitan area, along with a greater number of relapsed cases (from 16% to 76%), were accounted for. These findings underscore the impact of an MDT on EC outcomes, highlighting the evolving patient demographics over time.

Should Endometrial Cancer Treatment Be Centralized?

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract in Western and emerging countries. In 2012, new cancer cases numbered 319,605, and 76,160 cancer deaths were diagnosed worldwide. ECs are usually diagnosed after menopause; 70% of ECs are diagnosed at an early stage with a favorable prognosis and a 5-year overall survival rate of 77%. On the contrary, women with advanced or recurrent disease have extremely poor outcomes because they show a low response rate to conventional chemotherapy. EC is generally considered easy to treat, although it presents a 5-year mortality of 25%. Though the guidelines (GLs) recommend treatment in specialized centers by physicians specializing in gynecologic oncology, most women are managed by general gynecologists, resulting in differences and discrepancies in clinical management. In this paper we reviewed the literature with the aim of highlighting where the treatment of EC patients requires gynecologic oncologists, as suggested by the GLs. Moreover, we sought to identify the causes of the lack of GL adherence, suggesting useful changes to ensure adequate treatment for all EC patients.

Should endometrial biopsy under direct hysteroscopic visualization using the grasp technique become the new gold standard for the preoperative evaluation of the patient with endometrial cancer?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of endometrial biopsy performed with hysteroscopic direct visualization using the "grasp technique" for the detection of endometrial carcinoma (EC) histology type and tumor grade.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including the clinical and pathology records of patients with confirmed EC who underwent definitive surgery at University of Naples was performed. The preoperative diagnosis of endometrial tumor type and grade obtained using the hysteroscopy grasp technique was correlated with the final pathology specimens. Those results were compared to the diagnostic accuracy of the biopsies collected in a cohort of patients who underwent preoperative diagnostic hysteroscopy followed by blind endometrial biopsy using the Novak curette with subsequent surgical definitive treatment at University of Pisa. Statistical analysis was based on frequency data and diagnostic agreement of the pathology results.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients were included in the final analysis. An agreement rate of 104/106 (98.1%) for endometrioid type and 15/23 (65.2%) for non-endometrioid type was obtained between preoperative hysteroscopic grasp endometrial biopsy specimens and the final pathology with a coefficient k for G1, G2 and G3 tumors of 0.928, 0.925 and 0.974, respectively. When compared to 121 patients undergoing preoperative blind Novak endometrial biopsy, the hysteroscopic grasp technique was superior in agreement rates for tumor histotype [diagnostic accuracy (0.922 vs 0.890); K value (0.705 vs 0.642)] and grade when in presence of endometrioid type EC (K Cohen 0.354 for G1, 0.263 for G2 and 0.488 for G3).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative hysteroscopic guided "grasp" endometrial biopsy provides a more accurate diagnosis of EC histology type and tumor grade when in presence of endometrioid type tumor compared to blind endometrial biopsy obtained using the Novak curette.

Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma Arising in a Polyp: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis on 75 Patients

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether the international recommendations on the management of uterine papillary serous carcinoma arising in a polyp are uniformly followed in Italian Oncologic Centers and whether the strategy adopted is effective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with uterine papillary serous carcinoma arising in a polyp and who had undergone a hysterectomy were identified in the 2003-2013 database of 7 Italian Gynecologic Oncology Centers. Clinical and pathologic characteristics and outcomes were compared between staging procedure types. Survival curves of the women were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed using Cox regression hazard model and the log-rank test. Associations between clinical parameters and the incidence of recurrence were assessed by generalized linear models and the Fisher test.

RESULTS

A total of 75 patients met the inclusion criteria. Recurrence-free survival was affected positively by type of surgical staging and negatively by preoperative diagnosis of hypertension. The association between surgical staging and recurrence-free survival resulted significant at univariate survival analysis (P=0.048 and 0.045) and maintained a trend of significance (P=0.070) in multivariate analysis, whereas hypertension was demonstrated to be the principal influencing factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The international recommendations on the management of uterine papillary serous carcinoma are not uniformly followed in daily practice, although the extension of the surgery seems to be associated with lower recurrence rates also when uterine papillary serous carcinoma is confined to a polyp or endometrial surface.

Geographic variation in the use of lymphadenectomy and external-beam radiotherapy for endometrial cancer: a cross-sectional analysis of population-based data

OBJECTIVE

To quantify geographic variation in the use of lymphadenectomy and/or external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for endometrial cancer in England.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of population-based data.

SETTING

English cancer registry data, linked to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hospital episodes statistics data.

POPULATION

Twenty-two thousand four hundred and eighty-three women with endometrial cancer presenting without clinical or radiological evidence of distant metastatic spread, diagnosed in England from 2013 to 2016.

METHODS

Proportions of patients receiving lymphadenectomy and/or EBRT were compared across 19 Cancer Alliances, to identify variations in clinical practice. Two separate logistic regression models assessed the impact on variation of adjustment for tumour and patient characteristics.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Receipt of lymphadenectomy, receipt of EBRT.

RESULTS

There was substantial variation by Cancer Alliance in the adjusted proportion of women with endometrial cancer receiving lymphadenectomy (range 5% [95% CI 4-6%] to 48% [95% CI 45-52%]) and EBRT (range 10% [95% CI 7-12%] to 31% [95% CI 28-33%]), after adjusting for variation in pathological grade, age, comorbidities, deprivation, ethnic group and (EBRT only) FIGO stage. Different approaches to clinical practice were identified; (i) one Cancer Alliance had significantly higher than average lymphadenectomy and significantly lower than average EBRT use, (ii) three had high use of both lymphadenectomy and EBRT, (iii) one had low lymphadenectomy use and high EBRT use, and (iv) three had low use of both lymphadenectomy and EBRT.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphadenectomy is probably used to triage for EBRT when lymphadenectomy use is high and EBRT use is low. This is probably a result of variation in local endometrial cancer management guidelines, suggesting that UK recommendations should be clarified.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

There is geographic variation in England in the use of lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy to treat endometrial cancer.

Survival in clinical stage I endometrial cancer with single vs. multiple positive pelvic nodes: results of a multi-institutional Italian study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate survival outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) patients with single vs. multiple positive pelvic lymph nodes.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective evaluation of all consecutive patients with histologically proven International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC1 EEC who underwent primary surgical treatment between 2004 and 2014 at seven Italian gynecologic oncology referral centers. Patients with pre- or intra-operative evidence of extra-uterine disease (including the presence of bulky nodes) and patients with stage IIIC2 disease were excluded, in order to obtain a homogeneous population.

RESULTS

Overall 140 patients met the inclusion criteria. The presence of >1 metastatic pelvic node was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality, compared to only 1 metastatic node, at both univariate (recurrence: hazard ratio [HR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2-3.99; p=0.01; mortality: HR=2.8; 95% CI=1.24-6.29; p=0.01) and multivariable analysis (recurrence: HR=1.91; 95% CI=1.02-3.56; p=0.04; mortality: HR=2.62; 95% CI=1.13-6.05; p=0.02) and it was the only independent predictor of prognosis in this subset of patients. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were significantly longer in patients with only 1 metastatic node compared to those with more than 1 metastatic node (p=0.008 and 0.009, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The presence of multiple metastatic nodes in stage IIIC1 EEC represents an independent predictor of worse survival, compared to only one positive node. Our data suggest that EEC patients may be categorized according to the number of positive nodes.

Utility and Actual Use of European and Spanish Guidelines on the Management of Endometrial Cancer Among Gynecologic Oncologists in Spain

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze the current management of endometrial cancer across Spain and to evaluate the use and applicability of the national and international guidelines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An electronic 30-question survey was distributed among all Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology-registered specialists dedicated to gynecologic oncology in Spain by e-mail. Data were collected anonymously and analyzed using SPSS program.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-five (17.8%) surveys were collected. Significant differences were observed between tertiary hospitals and secondary or private hospitals in terms of appropriate (according to European Society of Gynaecologic Oncology guidelines) nodal staging in low-risk cases (96 [95%] vs 27 [61.4%], respectively; P < 0.001), appropriate nodal staging in intermediate-risk cases (96 [95%] vs 39 [88.6%], respectively; P = 0.004), appropriate treatment in advanced-stage cases (63 [67.7%] vs 13 [40.6%], respectively; P < 0.001), and surgical treatment of relapses (87 [93.5%] vs 18 [56.3%], respectively; P = 0.004) but nonsignificant in the rate of complete paraaortic lymphadenectomy performance (82 [81.2%] vs 28 [63.6%], respectively; P = 0.056). Similar results have been observed when comparing centers with less than 20 cases per year to centers with more than 40 cases annually, with significant differences in the management of low-risk and intermediate-risk endometrial cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This cross-sectional study demonstrates a broad heterogeneity of care giving between the clinical national and international guidelines and the actual practice in Spain. Although most of the responders refer to base their endometrial cancer management on Spanish and European Society of Gynaecologic Oncology guidelines (64.1%), many discrepancies have been observed, mainly in the management of intermediate-risk cases and follow-up. It may be caused by the lack of consensus on certain points, lack of facilities in lower case load centers, and also due to disagreement or unawareness on the current knowledge.

The effect of a uterine manipulator on the recurrence and mortality of endometrial cancer: a multi-centric study by the Italian Society of Gynecological Endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Although widely adopted, the use of a uterine manipulator during laparoscopic treatment of endometrial cancer represents a debated issue, and some authors hypothesize that it potentially may cause an increased risk of relapse, particularly at specific sites.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to evaluate the risk and site of disease recurrence, overall survival, and disease-specific survival in women who had laparoscopic surgery with and without the use of a uterine manipulator.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were reviewed from consecutive patients who had laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer staging in 7 Italian centers. Subjects were stratified according to whether a uterine manipulator was used during surgery; if so, the type of manipulator was identified. Multivariable analysis to correct for possible confounders and propensity score that matched the minimize selection bias were utilized. The primary outcome was the risk of disease recurrence. Secondary outcomes were disease-specific and overall survival and the site of recurrence, according to the use or no use of the uterine manipulator and to the different types of manipulators used.

RESULTS

We included 951 patients: 579 patients in the manipulator group and 372 patients in the no manipulator group. After a median follow-up period of 46 months (range,12-163 months), the rate of recurrence was 13.5% and 11.6% in the manipulator and no manipulator groups, respectively (P=.37). Positive lymph nodes and myometrial invasion of >50% were associated independently with the risk of recurrence after adjustment for possible confounders. The use of a uterine manipulator did not affect the risk of recurrence, both at univariate (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.77) and multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-1.70). Disease-free, disease-specific, and overall survivals were similar between groups. Propensity-matched analysis confirmed these findings. The site of recurrence was comparable between groups. In addition, the type of uterine manipulator and the presence or not of a balloon at the tip of the device were not associated significantly with the risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The use of a uterine manipulator during laparoscopic surgery does not affect the risk of recurrence and has no impact on disease-specific or overall survival and on the site of recurrence in women affected by endometrial cancer.

A population-based registry study evaluating surgery in newly diagnosed uterine cancer

INTRODUCTION

The aim was to evaluate surgical treatment of newly diagnosed uterine cancer in a Swedish population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data in the GynOp registry from 2008 to 2014 were analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 3443 cases were included: 430 (12%) were robotic-assisted laparoscopic, 272 (8%) laparoscopic, and 2741 (80%) abdominal operations. There was an increasing trend in minimally invasive surgery from 2008 to 2014 (41%). Women with lymph nodes removed in the robotic-assisted laparoscopic group experienced less blood loss (mean 105 vs. 377 mL), shorter length of hospital stay (2.4 vs. 4.1 days), and fewer days to normal activities of daily living (6.5 vs. 12.7 days) (all p < 0.001) compared with the abdominal group, but operating time did not differ. Similar results were found in women with no lymph node removal and in women with body mass index ≥35. Major complications during hospital stay, reoperations, and time to work were less in both minimally invasive groups. More lymph nodes were retrieved in the abdominal (mean 34.4) than in the robotic-assisted laparoscopic (mean 26.0) group, but the number of women with lymph node metastases did not differ, totaling 211/960 (21.9%; 95% CI 19.4-24.7%). Isolated para-aortic lymph node metastases were found in 3.9% (95% CI 2.4-5.6%) of women.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive surgery in uterine cancer patients reduces days to normal activities of daily living, number of days to return to work, length of hospital stay, and blood loss in patients without and with lymph node dissection and in obese patients.

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.

Laparoscopic vs. open treatment of endometrial cancer in the elderly and very elderly: An age-stratified multicenter study on 1606 women

Objective To investigate in depth the effect of increasing age on the peri-operative outcomes of laparoscopic treatment for endometrial cancer, compared to open surgery, with stratification of patients according to the different definitions of elderly age used in the literature.

METHODS

Data of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for endometrial cancer staging at six centers were reviewed and analyzed according to surgical approach (laparoscopic or open), different definitions of elderly and very elderly age (≥65years, ≥75years, ≥80years), and class of age (<65; ≥65-<75; ≥75-80; ≥80years). Multivariable analysis to correct for possible confounders and propensity-score matching to minimize selection bias were used.

RESULTS

A total of 1606 patients were included: 938 and 668 patients received laparoscopic and open surgery, respectively. With increasing age, fewer patients received laparoscopy (P<0.001 with ANOVA). The percentage of patients who received lymphadenectomy declined significantly in both groups for age ≥80years. Blood transfusions, incidence and severity of post-operative complications, and hospital stay were significantly lower among patients who had laparoscopy both in younger (<65years) and elderly (whether defined as ≥65 or ≥75years) patients, with no effect of age on any of the characteristics analyzed (

ANOVA

P>0.05). The same tendency was observed among very-elderly patients (≥80years). Multivariable and propensity score-matched analysis confirmed these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy for staging endometrial cancer retains its advantages over open surgery even in elderly and very-elderly patients. Our data strongly suggest that minimally-invasive surgery is advantageous even among subjects ≥80years.