Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

Prospective randomised phase II trial evaluating adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy using either IMRT or 3-Dimensional planning for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of grade ≥2 gastrointestinal (GI) or genitourinary (GU) toxicity for patients undergoing 3DRT versus IMRT in the postoperative setting for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Eligible patients were post-operatively randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups in a 1:1 ratio, to have their RT delivered using either a 3DRT technique or using IMRT. The prescription dose was 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks followed by vaginal vault brachytherapy. Toxicity was graded according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version (v) 3.0. Fisher's exact tests were used to test for associations between toxicity and arm. Differences in dosimetric parameters for patients with or without toxicity were tested using Mann-Whitney U-tests.

RESULTS

84 patients with a median age of 62 were evaluable for primary outcome. The median follow-up was 52 months. 14 (35%) participants from the 3DRT arm and 15 (34%) from the IMRT arm experienced acute grade ≥2 GI toxicity with older patients having a statistically higher risk of grade ≥2 acute GI toxicity. 20 (50%) participants from the 3DRT arm and 25 (57%) from the IMRT arm experienced acute grade ≥2 GI or GU toxicity (p = .662). 12 (30%) patients from the 3DRT arm and 17 (39%) from the IMRT arm experienced acute grade ≥2 GU toxicity (p = .493).

CONCLUSION

Although IMRT can reduce dose to normal tissue, in this study no benefit in acute GI or GU toxicity outcome was seen.

Significance of positive peritoneal cytology for recurrence and survival in patients with endometrial cancer

AIM

This study aims to examine the association between malignant peritoneal cytology and prognosis in women with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with endometrial cancer who underwent surgery with intraoperative peritoneal cytology at our hospital between January 1988 and December 2012. All results were reclassified according to the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system, and the relation between intraoperative peritoneal cytology results and recurrence and prognosis was examined.

RESULTS

Of the 908 patients analyzed, 205 (22.6%) had positive peritoneal cytology. Patients with positive peritoneal cytology had significantly lower rates of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) than those in the negative cytology group (both p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of patients with FIGO stage I/II showed significantly lower RFS in the positive-cytology group (p = 0.005), but there was no significant difference in OS (p = 0.637). In the patients with FIGO stage III/IV or patients classified as "high risk," the RFS and OS were significantly lower in the positive-cytology group (both p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis identified positive peritoneal cytology as a significant predictor of recurrence in patients with FIGO stage I/II disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with positive peritoneal cytology for endometrial cancer have a high risk of recurrence, regardless of histopathologic type or FIGO stage. Peritoneal cytology has already been removed from the 2009 FIGO classification of endometrial cancer, but it may deserve reconsideration.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in gynecological malignancies

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is one of the most abundant modifications in eukaryotic mRNA, regulated by m6A methyltransferase and demethylase. m6A modified RNA is specifically recognized and bound by m6A recognition proteins, which mediate splicing, maturation, exonucleation, degradation, and translation. In gynecologic malignancies, m6A RNA modification-related molecules are expressed aberrantly, significantly altering the posttranscriptional methylation level of the target genes and their stability. The m6A modification also regulates related metabolic pathways, thereby controlling tumor development. This review analyzes the composition and mode of action of m6A modification-related proteins and their biological functions in the malignant progression of gynecologic malignancies, which provide new ideas for the early clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy of gynecologic malignancies.

Improved long-term survival of corpus cancer in Japan: A 40-year population-based analysis

The incidence of uterine corpus cancer has been increasing globally due to increase in obesity. However, a detailed analysis of long‐term epidemiological trends of corpus cancer in Japan, where obesity is relatively minimal, has not been conducted. In this retrospective, population‐based study using the Osaka Cancer Registry, we analyzed 15 255 cases of corpus neoplasia registered between 1977 and 2016. We determined the age‐standardized incidence, mortality, relative survival and conditional survival rates, and the treatment trends for corpus cancer over the last 40 years in Japan. The age‐standardized incidence rate of corpus neoplasia increased sharply in 2000‐2011 (APC = 9.9, 95% CI: 8.4‐11.3), whereas the mortality rate trended to a much more modest increase (APC = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.7‐3.8). Compared to 1977‐2000, 10‐year survival rates for post‐2000 cases of localized and regional corpus cancers significantly improved (from 87.7% [95% CI: 85.8‐89.4] to 94.2% [95% CI: 92.7‐95.7] and from 47.5% [95% CI: 43.3‐51.6] to 64.4% [95% CI: 61.0‐67.6], respectively). This was largely associated with the significant increase in the percentage of localized and regional patients who received chemotherapy instead of radiation as an adjuvant therapy combined to surgery (P < .001 for both). We found that each histological type (endometrioid carcinoma, serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma and carcinosarcoma) has different characteristics of trend of age‐standardized incidence rate, relative survival and distribution of extent of disease. In endometrioid carcinoma, the age‐standardized incidence rate increased consistently after 1990, but the rate of increase was decreasing after 1997.

What's new?

For the past 40 years, age‐standardized incidence of corpus cancer in Japan, similar to other countries worldwide, has been increasing. However, whereas global increases in corpus cancer are linked to increasing obesity, obesity rates in Japan remain uniquely low. This population‐based study, drawing on data from the Osaka Cancer Registry, reveals a sharp increase in age‐standardized incidence of corpus neoplasia from 2000‐2011 in Japan. Each histological cancer type differed in incidence trend, relative survival, and distribution of extent of disease. Additional analyses indicate that recent changes in adjuvant therapy, particularly increased use of chemotherapy over radiation, have improved prognosis.

Oncologic outcomes for patients with endometrial cancer who received minimally invasive surgery: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic hysterectomy has been performed for patients with endometrial cancer as minimally invasive surgery; however, the long-term outcomes of high-risk disease compared to open surgery remain unclear.

METHODS

Eight hundred and eighty-three patients with endometrial cancer who underwent laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy were categorized into three groups. Low-risk disease was defined as stage IA disease with endometrioid carcinoma of grade 1 or 2. Uterine-confined disease was defined as stage IA disease with high-grade tumors or stage IB and II disease. Advanced disease was defined as stage III or IV disease. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared between laparoscopic and laparotomic hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Among 478 patients with low-risk disease, including 226 with laparoscopy and 252 with laparotomy, the prognosis was not significantly different between the groups (3-year PFS rate, 97.4% vs. 97.1%, p = 0.8; 3-year OS rate, 98.6% vs. 98.3%, p = 0.9). Among the 229 patients with uterine-confined disease, including 51 with laparoscopy and 178 with laparotomy, the prognosis was not significantly different between the groups (3-year PFS rate, 90.5% vs. 85.5%, p = 0.7; 3-year OS rate, 91.3% vs. 92.5%, p = 0.8). Among the 176 patients with advanced disease, including 24 with laparoscopy and 152 with laparotomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy had a higher PFS rate and OS rate than laparotomic hysterectomy (3-year PFS rate, 74.5% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.01; 3-year OS rate, 92.3% vs. 75.1%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic procedures are not associated with a poorer outcome than laparotomy in patients with advanced endometrial cancer or uterine-confined endometrial cancer.

Adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancer today

Endometrial cancer frequently occurs in post-menopausal women, and the endometrium is a well-known site of cancer affecting women. Endometrial cancer is found with genital bleeding and often at an early stage. However, there are some risks of recurrence after hysterectomy. As a medical treatment after the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, appropriate adjuvant therapy is considered to lead to a decrease in the rate of recurrence and improvement of prognosis according to the determination of the cancer stage from the surgical and histopathological results. In this review, we describe post-operative adjuvant therapy administered for endometrial cancer and advanced disease, focusing on chemotherapy, radiation therapy and the combination of both. These treatments are divided according to the risk of recurrence as based primarily on the reported evidence.

Incorporation of molecular characteristics into endometrial cancer management

Histopathological evaluation including subtyping and grading is the current cornerstone for endometrial cancer (EC) classification. This provides clinicians with prognostic information and input for further treatment recommendations. Nonetheless, patients with histologically similar ECs may have very different outcomes, notably in patients with high‐grade endometrial carcinomas. For endometrial cancer, four molecular subgroups have undergone extensive studies in recent years: POLE ultramutated (POLEmut), mismatch repair‐deficient (MMRd), p53 mutant (p53abn) and those EC lacking any of these alterations, referred to as NSMP (non‐specific molecular profile). Several large studies confirm the prognostic relevance of these molecular subgroups. However, this ‘histomolecular’ approach has so far not been implemented in clinical routine. The ongoing PORTEC4a trial is the first clinical setting in which the added value of integrating molecular parameters in adjuvant treatment decisions will be determined. For diagnostics, the incorporation of the molecular parameters in EC classification will add a level of objectivity which will yield biologically more homogeneous subclasses. Here we illustrate how the management of individual EC patients may be impacted when applying the molecular EC classification. We describe our current approach to the integrated diagnoses of EC with a focus on scenarios with conflicting morphological and molecular findings. We also address several pitfalls accompanying the diagnostic implementation of molecular EC classification and give practical suggestions for diagnostic scenarios.

Effect of Taxane Plus Platinum Regimens vs Doxorubicin Plus Cisplatin as Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Endometrial Cancer at a High Risk of Progression: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

The efficacy of taxane plus platinum regimens has been demonstrated for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer; however, it has not been assessed in postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical benefit of taxane plus platinum compared with standard doxorubicin plus cisplatin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in endometrial cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this multicenter, open-label, phase 3 randomized clinical trial, patients with endometrial cancer at high-risk stage I or II or stage III or IV that did not extend beyond the abdominal cavity and had 2 cm or greater residual tumor were included from 118 institutions in Japan from November 24, 2006, to January 7, 2011. Data was analyzed from March 15, 2017, to June 30, 2017.

Interventions

Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive 6 cycles of doxorubicin, 60 mg/m2, plus cisplatin, 50 mg/m2, on day 1; docetaxel, 70 mg/m2, plus cisplatin, 60 mg/m2, on day 1; or paclitaxel, 180 mg/m2, plus carboplatin (area under the curve, 6.0 mg/mL × min) on day 1 every 3 weeks.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was progression-free survival. Secondary end points were overall survival, occurrence of adverse events, tolerability, and status of lymph node dissection.

Results

Among 788 eligible patients, the median (SD) age was 59 (22-74) years; 263 patients were assigned to doxorubicin plus cisplatin treatment, 263 patients to docetaxel plus cisplatin treatment, and 262 patients to paclitaxel plus carboplatin treatment. The number of patients who did not complete 6 cycles was 53 (20.1%) for the doxorubicin plus cisplatin group, 45 (17.1%) for the docetaxel plus cisplatin group, and 63 (24.0%) for the paclitaxel plus carboplatin group. Tolerability of these regimens were not statistically different. After a median follow-up period of 7 years, there was no statistical difference of progression-free survival (doxorubicin plus cisplatin, 191; docetaxel plus cisplatin, 208; paclitaxel plus carboplatin, 187; P = .12) or overall survival (doxorubicin plus cisplatin, 217; docetaxel plus cisplatin, 223; paclitaxel plus carboplatin, 215; P = .67) among the 3 groups. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 73.3% for the doxorubicin plus cisplatin group, 79.0% for the docetaxel plus cisplatin group, and 73.9% for the paclitaxel plus carboplatin group, while the 5-year overall survival rates were 82.7%, 88.1%, and 86.1%, respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

There was no significant difference of survival among patients receiving doxorubicin plus cisplatin, docetaxel plus cisplatin, or paclitaxel plus carboplatin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer. Because each regimen showed adequate tolerability but different toxic effects, taxane plus platinum regimens may be a reasonable alternative to treatment with doxorubicin plus cisplatin.

Trial Registration

UMIN-CTR identifier: UMIN000000522.

Current recommendations and recent progress in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, and its incidence is rising. Although there have been significant recent advances in our understanding of endometrial cancer biology, many aspects of treatment remain mired in controversy, including the role of surgical lymph node assessment and the selection of patients for adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy. For the subset of women with microsatellite-instable, metastatic disease, anti- programmed cell death protein 1 immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and numerous trials are attempting to build on this early success.

Retrospective Analysis of Intravaginal Brachytherapy in Adjuvant Treatment of Early Endometrial Cancer

The aim of this study was to determine the role of adjuvant endovaginal brachytherapy HDR (High Dose Rate) or observation, as well as identification of risk factors of tumor recurrence. The study included 178 women after radical hysterectomy. All patients belonged to the group of low- and medium-risk stage I FIGO. Analysis consisted of 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS, DFS, and LRFS in both groups. Follow-up was more than 6.5 years. The 5-OS, 5-DFS, and 5-LRFS were 93%, 96%, and 98% in the treated group and 95%, 94%, and 96% in the observed group, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference in 5-OS in the treated group, between low- and medium-risk subgroups (100% versus 87.55%, p = 0.018). There was a better prognosis among the patients with FIGO IA compared to FIGO IB (5-DFS, 97 versus 86%, p = 0.047). Among the risk factors, there were only statistically significant differences in the 5-OS, between the ages of ≤ 70 years and >70 years. Use of brachytherapy may affect the reduction in the number of local recurrences at the vaginal stump (6% versus 2%). This is particularly noticeable in the low-risk subgroup (9% versus 0%).

Salvage Versus Adjuvant Radiation Treatment for Women With Early-Stage Endometrial Carcinoma: A Matched Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Adjuvant radiation treatment (ART) has been shown to reduce local recurrences in early-stage endometrial carcinoma (EC); however, this has not translated into improved overall survival (OS) benefit. As a result, some physicians forgo ART, citing successful salvage rates in cases of recurrence. Survival end points were compared between women treated with salvage RT (SRT) for locoregional recurrence and similarly matched women treated upfront with ART.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 40 patients with stage I to II type 1 EC who underwent hysterectomy and received no adjuvant RT but later developed locoregional recurrence and subsequently received SRT. An additional 374 patients who underwent hysterectomy followed by ART during the same period were identified. Patients in the SRT group were matched to those in the ART group based on FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage and tumor grade in a 1:3 ratio. Disease-specific survival (DSS) and OS were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 156 women were matched (39:117). Median follow-up was 56 months. The 2 groups were generally well balanced. With regard to the site of tumor recurrence, it was commonly vaginal in the SRT group (74.3% vs 28.6%, P = 0.01). More SRT patients received a combination of pelvic external-beam RT with vaginal brachytherapy (94.8% vs 35%, P < 0.001). The ART group had significantly better 5-year DSS (95% vs 77%, P < 0.001) and 5-year OS (79% vs 72%, P = 0.005) compared with those of the SRT group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that women who receive SRT for their locoregional recurrence have worse DSS and OS compared with those matched patients who received ART. Further studies are warranted to develop a high-quality cost-effectiveness analysis as well as accurate predictive models of tumor recurrence. Until then, ART should at least be considered in the management of early-stage EC patients with adverse prognostic factors.

Serum endocan levels in endometrial and ovarian cancers

BACKGROUND

Ovarian and endometrial carcinomas are the two most common malignancies of the female reproductive system. Endocan is a proteoglycan that is specific to vascular endothelial cells. Increased serum levels have been reported in some tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate serum endocan levels in cases of endometrial and ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Levels of serum endocan were assessed in 27 patients with endometrial cancer and 20 with ovarian cancer, and in 38 control subjects with benign ovarian or endometrial disorders. Thirty-five healthy subjects were also included. Serum endocan levels were measured using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum CA-125 levels were also measured in the patient and control groups.

RESULTS

All patients had detectable serum endocan levels among endometrial and ovarian cancer groups except six cases. However, in the benign and healthy control groups, all endocan levels were undetectable except for two cases in the benign group and three in the healthy control group. Serum endocan levels were significantly higher in the entire patient group than in the controls (P<.0001 for both). Serum endocan levels in cases of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer were higher than in both the control groups (P<.0001 for both). Evaluation of all groups revealed a positive correlation between serum CA-125 and endocan levels (r=.43, P<.0001).

CONCLUSION

Although benign ovarian or endometrial disorders do not lead to expression of endocan, malignant cases can result in measurable endocan levels. This may be useful in differentiating benign and malign diseases of the endometrium or ovary.

Clinical outcome of early-stage endometroid adenocarcinoma: a tertiary cancer center experience

OBJECTIVE

Endometrial cancer (EC) outcome data from developing countries are sparse. We undertook this retrospective analysis to report outcome in our patient population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred forty-nine patients with stage I and II and type I histology ECs referred/treated at our institution from 1998 to 2004 were analyzed. All the details including demographic profile, surgical and histopathological details, as well as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and adjuvant therapy were compiled. The 1988 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging and risk stratification were performed on the basis of PORTEC risk groups.

RESULTS

With a median age of 54 years (26-72 years), 136 patients (55%) underwent surgery elsewhere; 118 (47.3%) underwent a complete surgical staging. There were 60 (24.1%), 124 (49.8%), 65 (26.1%) patients in the low-risk (LR), intermediate-risk (IR), and high-risk (HR) groups, respectively. Adjuvant radiation was given in 160 patients (LR, 18; IR, 85; and HR, 57). With a median follow-up of 36 months (mean, 40 months), 10 patients had vault recurrences, (LR, 3; IR, 4; and HR, 3), 11 had nodal (5 also had local recurrence; LR, 2; IR, 4; and HR, 5), and 16 had distant recurrences (3 also had nodal; LR, 4; IR, 5; HR, 7). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OAS) rates were 80% and 95%, respectively. The DFS and OAS rates at 5 years were 84% and 97%, 85% and 98%, and 60% and 85% for the LR, IR, and HR groups, respectively. On multivariate analysis, grade (P = 0.002) and type of radiation (P = 0.027) had significant impact on DFS and OAS. Late toxicities (grade 3/4) were vaginal stenosis in 4 (1%) and radiation proctitis in 3 (1%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, ECs are seen in relatively younger population. There is a trend toward incomplete staging surgery outside the oncological referral network. However, the clinical outcome for early-stage type I histology ECs within our population are similar to those reported in the literature.

Adjuvant treatment for endometrial cancer: literature review and recommendations by the Comité de l'évolution des pratiques en oncologie (CEPO)

OBJECTIVE

Despite the very good prognosis of endometrial cancer, a number of patients with localized disease relapse following surgery. Therefore, various adjuvant therapeutic approaches have been studied. The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in patients with resectable endometrial cancer and to develop evidence-based recommendations.

METHODS

A review of the scientific literature published between January 1990 and June 2012 was performed. The search was limited to published phase III clinical trials and meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies in patients with endometrial carcinoma or carcinosarcoma. A total of 23 studies and five meta-analyses were identified.

RESULTS

The selected literature showed that in patients with a low risk of recurrence, post-surgical observation is safe and recommended in most cases. There are several therapeutic modalities available for treatment of endometrial cancers with higher risk of recurrence, including vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the evidence available to date, the CEPO recommends the following: (1)post-surgical observation for most patients with a low recurrence risk; (2)adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy for patients with an intermediate recurrence risk; (3)adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy for patients with a high recurrence risk; addition of adjuvant chemotherapy may be considered as an option for selected patients (excellent functional status, no significant co-morbidities, poor prognostic factors); (4)adjuvant chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy with or without brachytherapy and para-aortic irradiation for patients with advanced disease;

Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in mexican patients with endometrial carcinoma with emphasis on patients receiving radiotherapy after surgery: an institutional perspective

Aim. To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with endometrial carcinoma treated in a Latin American institute with emphasis in patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods. A total of 412 patients with endometrial carcinoma admitted to our hospital between 1998 and 2008 were evaluated, retrospectively. The mean age was 55 years (28-87). Two hundred seventy patients received RT following surgery. Stage distribution was as follows: 221 patients (54%) stage I, 86 patients (21%) stage II, and 103 patients (24.5%) stage III and 2 patients (0.5%) stage IVA. Results. Overall survival rate was 95% at 2 years, 84% at 5 years, and 79% at 10 years. By the end of followup, 338 patients (82%) were disease-free, and 13 (3%) were alive with disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified age, grade, serosal and adnexial involvement as significant predictors for overall survival. Conclusion. The results of our study suggests that early-stage, low-grade endometrial cancer with no risk factors should not receive external beam radiotherapy, intermediate risk patients should receive only vaginal vault brachytherapy, and the use of chemotherapy with radiotherapy for patients high-risk and advanced-stage carcinoma the addition of radiotherapy is associated with a better survival being an effective therapeutic option.

A potency of plasminogen activation system in long-term prognosis of endometrial cancer: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Plasminogen activators released from cancer cells lead to degradation of basement membrane proteins and extracellular matrix, and facilitate cancer cell invasion into surrounding tissues and the blood stream. The aim of this study was to evaluate a complex tissue immunohistochemical expression of the plasminogen activation system--urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1--in endometrial cancer, and to correlate obtained results with disease progression and course.

STUDY DESIGN

The study group was composed of 100 patients classified in three sub-groups according to the FIGO 2010 tumour stratification (G1=70, G2=19, G3=11). Expression of uPA, tPA, uPAR and PAI-1 was examined by means of immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical expressions of all the studied markers did not differ between G1 and G2 patients. However, G3 subjects were found to have a significantly lower expression of uPA, PAI-1 and tPA. In addition, the patients who survived were found to be PAI-1 negative, while study participants with an unfavourable disease course were PAI-1 positive.

CONCLUSIONS

A significantly higher immunohistochemical expression of PAI-1 was found to correlate with shorter relapse-free and overall survival in patients classified as stages IB and II of endometrial cancer.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in Issue 2, 2007. The role of radiotherapy (both pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and vaginal intracavity brachytherapy (VBT)) in stage I endometrial cancer following hysterectomy remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery for stage I endometrial cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Specialised Register to end-2005 for the original review, and extended the search to January 2012 for the update.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy (either EBRTor VBT, or both) versus no radiotherapy or VBT in women with stage I endometrial cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials and extracted data to a specifically designed data collection form. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were endometrial cancer-related deaths, locoregional recurrence and distant recurrence. Meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane Review Manager Software 5.1.

MAIN RESULTS

We included eight trials. Seven trials (3628 women) compared EBRT with no EBRT (or VBT), and one trial (645 women) compared VBTwith no additional treatment. We considered six of the eight trials to be of a high quality. Time-to-event data were not available for all trials and all outcomes.EBRT (with or without VBT) compared with no EBRT (or VBT alone) for stage I endometrial carcinoma significantly reduced locoregional recurrence (time-to-event data: five trials, 2965 women; Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.36, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.25 to 0.52; and dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; Risk Ratio (RR) 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.47). This reduced risk of locoregional recurrence did not translate into improved overall survival (time-to-event data: five trials, 2,965 women; HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.82 to1.20; and dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.15) or improved endometrial cancer-related survival (time-to-event data: five trials, 2965 women; HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.28; and dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.29) or improved distant recurrence rates (dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.35).EBRT did not improve survival outcomes in either the intermediate-risk or high-risk subgroups, although high-risk data were limited, and a benefit of EBRT for high-risk women could not be excluded. One trial (PORTEC-2) compared EBRT with VBT in the high-intermediate risk group and reported that VBT was effective in ensuring vaginal control with a non-significant difference in loco-regional relapse rate compared to EBRT (5.1% versus 2.1%; HR 2.08, 95% CI 0.71 to 6.09; P = 0.17). In the subgroup of low-risk patients (IA/B and grade 1/2), EBRT increased the risk of endometrial carcinoma-related deaths (including treatment-related deaths) (two trials, 517 women; RR 2.64, 95% CI 1.05 to 6.66) but there was a lack of data on overall survival. We considered the evidence for the low-risk subgroup to be of a low quality.EBRT was associated with significantly increased severe acute toxicity (two trials, 1328 patients, RR 4.68, 95% CI 1.35 to 16.16), increased severe late toxicity (six trials, 3501 women; RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.11) and significant reductions in quality of life scores and rectal and bladder function more than 10 years after randomisation (one trial, 351 women) compared with no EBRT.One trial of VBT versus no additional treatment in women with low-risk lesions reported a non-significant reduction in locoregional recurrence in the VBT group compared with the no additional treatment group (RR 0.39, (95% CI 0.14 to 1.09). There were no significant differences in survival outcomes in this trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

EBRT reduces the risk of locoregional recurrence but has no significant impact on cancer-related deaths or overall survival. It is associated with significant morbidity and a reduction in quality of life. There is no demonstrable survival advantage from adjuvant EBRT for high-risk stage I endometrial cancer, however, the meta-analyses of this subgroup were underpowered and also included high-intermediate risk women, therefore we cannot exclude a small benefit in the high-risk subgroup. EBRT may have an adverse effect on endometrial cancer survival when used to treat uncomplicated low-risk (IA/B grade 1/2) endometrial cancer. For the intermediate to high-intermediate risk group, VBT alone appears to be adequate in ensuring vaginal control compared to EBRT. Further research is needed to guide practice for lesions that are truly high risk. In addition, the definitions of risk should be standardised.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in Issue 2, 2007. The role of radiotherapy (both pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and vaginal intracavity brachytherapy (VBT)) in stage I endometrial cancer following hysterectomy remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery for stage I endometrial cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Specialised Register to end-2005 for the original review, and extended the search to January 2012 for the update.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy (either EBRT or VBT, or both) versus no radiotherapy or VBT in women with stage I endometrial cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials and extracted data to a specifically designed data collection form. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were endometrial cancer-related deaths, locoregional recurrence and distant recurrence. Meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane Review Manager Software 5.1.

MAIN RESULTS

We included eight trials. Seven trials (3628 women) compared EBRT with no EBRT (or VBT), and one trial (645 women) compared VBT with no additional treatment. We considered six of the eight trials to be of a high quality. Time-to-event data were not available for all trials and all outcomes.EBRT (with or without VBT) compared with no EBRT (or VBT alone) for stage I endometrial carcinoma significantly reduced locoregional recurrence (time-to-event data: five trials, 2965 women; Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.36, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.25 to 0.52; and dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; Risk Ratio (RR) 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.47). This reduced risk of locoregional recurrence did not translate into improved overall survival (time-to-event data: five trials, 2,965 women; HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.20; and dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.15) or improved endometrial cancer-related survival (time-to-event data: five trials, 2965 women; HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.28; and dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.29) or improved distant recurrence rates (dichotomous data: seven trials, 3628 women; RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.80 to1.35).EBRT did not improve survival outcomes in either the intermediate-risk or high-risk subgroups, although high-risk data were limited, and a benefit of EBRT for high-risk women could not be excluded. In the subgroup of low-risk patients (IA/B and grade 1/2), EBRT increased the risk of endometrial carcinoma-related deaths (including treatment-related deaths) (two trials, 517 women; RR 2.64, 95% CI 1.05 to 6.66) but there was a lack of data on overall survival. We considered the evidence for the low-risk subgroup to be of a low quality.EBRT was associated with significantly increased severe acute toxicity (two trials, 1328 patients, RR 4.68, 95% CI 1.35 to 16.16), increased severe late toxicity (six trials, 3501 women; RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.11) and significant reductions in quality of life scores and rectal and bladder function more than 10 years after randomisation (one trial, 351 women) compared with no EBRT.One trial of VBT versus no additional treatment in women with low-risk lesions reported a non-significant reduction in locoregional recurrence in the VBT group compared with the no additional treatment group (RR 0.39, (95% CI 0.14 to 1.09). There were no significant differences in survival outcomes in this trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

EBRT reduces the risk of locoregional recurrence but has no significant impact on cancer-related deaths or overall survival. It is associated with significant morbidity and a reduction in quality of life, and bladder and rectal function. EBRT may have an adverse effect on endometrial cancer survival when used to treat uncomplicated low-risk (IA/B grade 1/2) endometrial cancer. There is no demonstrable survival advantage from adjuvant EBRT for high-risk stage I endometrial cancer, however, the meta-analyses of this subgroup were underpowered and also included high-intermediate risk women. Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimates of effects and may change the estimates. Therefore, whilst there appears to be no survival benefit in the routine use of EBRT in women with stage I endometrial cancer, we cannot exclude a benefit in high-risk women. VBT is potentially useful in intermediate-risk and high-risk subgroups but evidence from further RCTs is needed. In addition, the definitions of risk should be standardised.

Controversies in the management of endometrial carcinoma: an update

Endometrial carcinoma is the commonest type of female genital tract malignancy in the developed countries. Endometrial carcinoma is usually confined to the uterus at the time of diagnosis and as such usually carries an excellent prognosis with high curability. Our understanding and management of endometrial cancer have continuously developed. Current controversies focus on screening and early detection, the extent of nodal surgery, and the changing roles of radiation therapy and chemotherapy and will be discussed in this paper.

[Postoperative vaginal brachytherapy in endometrial cancer]

Several randomized studies published in recent years have greatly changed the management of postoperative endometrial cancer, especially for lesions of intermediate prognosis. Vaginal brachytherapy is now standard treatment for these lesions at the expense of external beam radiation, which, despite an improvement in locoregional control, has no impact on overall survival. This review aims to take stock of new indications for vaginal brachytherapy detailing the trials that led to change standards or care.

Fifteen-year radiotherapy outcomes of the randomized PORTEC-1 trial for endometrial carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the very long-term results of the randomized Post Operative Radiation Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma (PORTEC)-1 trial for patients with Stage I endometrial carcinoma (EC), focusing on the role of prognostic factors for treatment selection and the long-term risk of second cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The PORTEC trial (1990-1997) included 714 patients with Stage IC Grade 1-2 or Stage IB Grade 2-3 EC. After surgery, patients were randomly allocated to external-beam pelvic radiotherapy (EBRT) or no additional treatment (NAT). Analysis was by intention to treat.

RESULTS

426 patients were alive at the date of analysis. The median follow-up time was 13.3 years. The 15-year actuarial locoregional recurrence (LRR) rates were 6% for EBRT vs. 15.5% for NAT (p < 0.0001). The 15-year overall survival was 52% vs. 60% (p = 0.14), and the failure-free survival was 50% vs. 54% (p = 0.94). For patients with high-intermediate risk criteria, the 15-year overall survival was 41% vs. 48% (p = 0.51), and the 15-year EC-related death was 14% vs. 13%. Most LRR in the NAT group were vaginal recurrences (11.0% of 15.5%). The 15-year rates of distant metastases were 9% vs. 7% (p = 0.25). Second primary cancers had been diagnosed over 15 years in 19% of all patients, 22% vs. 16% for EBRT vs. NAT (p = 0.10), with observed vs. expected ratios of 1.6 (EBRT) and 1.2 (NAT) compared with a matched population (p = NS). Multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of Grade 3 for LRR (hazard ratio [HR] 3.4, p = 0.0003) and for EC death (HR 7.3, p < 0.0001), of age >60 (HR 3.9, p = 0.002 for LRR and 2.7, p = 0.01 for EC death) and myometrial invasion >50% (HR 1.9, p = 0.03 and HR 1.9, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The 15-year outcomes of PORTEC-1 confirm the relevance of HIR criteria for treatment selection, and a trend for long-term risk of second cancers. EBRT should be avoided in patients with low- and intermediate-risk EC.

[Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with endometrial cancers]

The treatment of patients with endometrial cancer has been extensively modified in recent years. Several randomized studies have redefined the indications for adjuvant therapy in tumours staged 1. In the absence of poor prognostic factors, the management tends to be less aggressive than before, often limited to vaginal brachytherapy. Conversely, for more advanced lesions, for which prognosis is poor, combinations of chemoradiation are currently being evaluated. This literature review aims to provide an update on recent developments in the management of adjuvant radiotherapy for endometrial carcinoma.

Evidence-based review of the utility of radiation therapy in the treatment of endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female genital tract in the USA and usually presents at an early stage. Most women are cured with surgery, however, some patients may require adjuvant therapy including radiation and/or chemotherapy. Risk factors determine the need for adjuvant treatment and, based on these risk factors, patients are categorized as being at low, intermediate or high risk for recurrence. In this article we will review the best level of evidence available for the use of radiation therapy within each risk stratum. The most controversy and debate is associated with patients stratified to the intermediate-risk group.

Uterine sarcomas--recent progress and future challenges

Uterine sarcomas are a group of rare tumours that provide considerable challenges in their treatment. Radiological diagnosis prior to hysterectomy is difficult, with the diagnosis frequently made post-operatively. Current staging systems have been unsatisfactory, although a new FIGO staging system specifically for uterine sarcomas has now been introduced, and may allow better grouping of patients according to expected prognosis. While the mainstay of treatment of early disease is a total abdominal hysterectomy, it is less clear whether routine oophorectomy or lymphadenectomy is necessary. Adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy may improve local tumour control in high risk patients, but is not associated with an overall survival benefit. Similarly there is no good evidence for the routine use of adjuvant chemotherapy. For advanced leiomyosarcoma, newer chemotherapy agents including gemcitabine and docetaxel, and trabectedin, offer some promise, while hormonal therapies appear to be more useful in endometrial stromal sarcoma. Novel targeted agents are now being introduced for sarcomas, and uterine sarcomas, and show some indications of activity. Non-pharmacological treatments, including surgical metastatectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and CyberKnife(®) radiotherapy, are important additions to systemic therapy for advanced metastatic disease.

Controversies in the management of endometrial carcinoma

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common type of female genital tract malignancy. Although endometrial carcinoma is a low grade curable malignancy, the condition of the disease can range from excellent prognosis with high curability to aggressive disease with poor outcome. During the last 10 years many researches have provided some new valuable data of optimal treatments for endometrial carcinoma. Progression in diagnostic imaging, radiation delivery systems, and systemic therapies potentially can improve outcomes while minimizing morbidity. Firstly, total hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy is the primary operative procedure. Pelvic lymhadenectomy is performed in most centers on therapeutic and prognostic grounds and to individualize adjuvant treatment. Women with endometrial carcinoma can be readily segregated intraoperatively into “low-risk” and “high-risk” groups to better identify those women who will most likely benefit from thorough lymphadenectomy. Secondly, adjuvant therapies have been proposed for women with endometrial carcinoma postoperatively. Postoperative irradiation is used to reduce pelvic and vaginal recurrences in high risk cases. Chemotherapy is emerging as an important treatment modality in advanced endometrial carcinoma. Meanwhile the availability of new hormonal and biological agents presents new opportunities for therapy.

Evaluation of serum CA-125 levels for preoperative counseling in endometrioid endometrial cancer: a multi-center study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of serum CA-125 levels for preoperative counseling in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC).

METHODS

We reviewed 413 patients with EEC from 6 tertiary medical centers between July 1996 and June 2008. All patients were divided into (1) 4 categories of preoperative serum CA-125 levels: <18 U/mL (n=203); 18-35 U/mL (n=114); 36-70 U/mL (n=53); >70 U/mL (n=43) or (2) 3 categories: low-risk (n=240); intermediate-risk (n=99); high-risk diseases (n=74).

RESULTS

Receiver operative curves showed the best cut-off values of 16.2-40.8 U/mL for predicting prognostic factors with 53.4-84.2% of sensitivity, 43.9-81.7% of specificity, 48.8-82.1% of positive predictive value (PPV), 48.5-83.8% of negative predictive value (NPV) and 48.6-83.0% of accuracy. Especially, adnexal involvement was predicted with the highest accuracy (83.0%) at >or=40.8 U/mL. The best cut-off values for preoperative selection of intermediate- to high-risk, and high-risk diseases were 17.3 U/mL and 21.9 U/mL (62.4% and 68.9% of sensitivity; 54.6% and 64.3% of specificity; 57.9% and 64.2% of PPV; 59.2% and 67.4% of NPV, 58.5% and 65.8% of accuracy). Furthermore, >70 U/mL of preoperative serum CA-125 levels was a prognostic factor for poor progression-free and overall survivals.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum CA-125 levels may not be useful for predicting most of prognostic factors, and may not contribute to preoperative selection of patients with intermediate- or high-risk disease who need adjuvant radiotherapy in EEC. However, serum CA-125 levels may be helpful in preoperative counseling for young patients who want ovarian preservation, and >70 U/mL could be considered as a risk factor for poor survival.

Endometrial carcinoma: controversies in histopathological assessment of grade and tumour cell type

Histopathological assessment of tumour grade and cell type is central to the management of endometrial carcinoma, guiding the extent of surgery and the use of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Endometrioid carcinomas are usually low grade but high-grade examples are encountered, and they have a significantly worse prognosis, similar to that of high-grade subtypes such as serous and clear cell carcinoma. This article reviews the various grading systems that have been proposed for use with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, and discusses the recent progress in cell type assignment, including the use of immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic adjunct.

Lymphadenectomy for the management of endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynaecological cancer in western Europe and North America. Lymph node metastases can be found in approximately 10% of women who clinically have cancer confined to the womb prior to surgery and removal of all pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes (lymphadenectomy) is widely advocated. Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy is part of the FIGO staging system for endometrial cancer. This recommendation is based on non-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) data that suggested improvement in survival following pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. However, treatment of pelvic lymph nodes may not confer a direct therapeutic benefit, other than allocating women to poorer prognosis groups. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs of routine adjuvant radiotherapy to treat possible lymph node metastases in women with early-stage endometrial cancer, did not find a survival advantage. Surgical removal of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes has serious potential short and long-term sequelae and most women will not have positive lymph nodes. It is therefore important to establish the clinical value of a treatment with known morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

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

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 2, 2009. Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Review Group Trials Register, MEDLINE (1966 to June 2009), Embase (1966 to June 2009). We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

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

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. Hazard ratios (HRs) for overall and progression-free survival and risk ratios (RRs) comparing adverse events in women who received lymphadenectomy or no lymphadenectomy were pooled in random effects meta-analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

Two RCTs met the inclusion criteria; they randomised 1945 women, and reported HRs for survival, adjusted for prognostic factors, based on 1851 women.Meta-analysis indicated no significant difference in overall and recurrence-free survival between women who received lymphadenectomy and those who received no lymphadenectomy (pooled HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.81 to 1.43 and HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.58 for overall and recurrence-free survival respectively).We found no statistically significant difference in risk of direct surgical morbidity between women who received lymphadenectomy and those who received no lymphadenectomy. However, women who received lymphadenectomy had a significantly higher risk of surgically related systemic morbidity and lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation than those who had no lymphadenectomy (RR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.04 to 13.27 and RR = 8.39, 95% CI: 4.06, 17.33 for risk of surgically related systemic morbidity and lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation respectively).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence that lymphadenectomy decreases the risk of death or disease recurrence compared with no lymphadenectomy in women with presumed stage I disease. The evidence on serious adverse events suggests that women who receive lymphadenectomy are more likely to experience surgically related systemic morbidity or lymphoedema/lymphocyst formation.

3D-Conformal versus intensity-modulated postoperative radiotherapy of vaginal vault: A dosimetric comparison

We evaluated a step-and-shoot IMRT plan in the postoperative irradiation of the vaginal vault compared with equispaced beam arrangements (3-5) 3D-radiotherapy (RT) optimized plans. Twelve patients were included in this analysis. Four plans for each patient were compared in terms of dose-volume histograms, homogeneity index (HI), and conformity index (CI): (1) 3 equispaced beam arrangement 3D-RT; (2) 4 equispaced beam arrangement 3D-RT; (3) 5 equispaced beam arrangement 3D-RT; (4) step-and-shoot IMRT technique. CI showed a good discrimination between the four plans. The mean scores of CI were 0.58 (range: 0.38-0.67) for the 3F-CRT plan, 0.58 (range: 0.41-0.66) for 4F-CRT, 0.62 (range: 0.43-0.68) for 5F-CRT and 0.69 (range: 0.58-0.78) for the IMRT plan. A significant improvement of the conformity was reached by the IMRT plan (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). As expected, the increment of 3D-CRT fields was associated with an improvement of target dose conformity and homogeneity; on the contrary, in the IMRT plans, a better conformity was associated to a worse target dose homogeneity. A significant reduction in terms of D(mean), V90%, V95%, V100% was recorded for rectal and bladder irradiation with the IMRT plan. Surprisingly, IMRT supplied a significant dose reduction also for rectum and bladder V30% and V50%. A significant dosimetric advantage of IMRT over 3D-RT in the adjuvant treatment of vaginal vault alone in terms of treatment conformity and rectum and bladder sparing is shown.

Management of advanced-stage and recurrent endometrial cancer

Endometrial carcinoma is frequently diagnosed at an early stage, at which point it is usually surgically curable. Some less common subtypes of endometrial carcinoma, such as serous and clear cell carcinomas, have a worse prognosis than most endometrioid carcinomas. Patients with advanced or recurrent disease, regardless of histologic subtype, have a poor prognosis. Both single-agent and combination chemotherapy regimens (such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, and paclitaxel) have antitumor activity but are not curative. Recently, adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve outcomes in high-risk nonmetastatic (stage III) disease. Newer agents such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors show promise, and are currently being tested in a clinical trials.

Adjuvant external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of endometrial cancer (MRC ASTEC and NCIC CTG EN.5 randomised trials): pooled trial results, systematic review, and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Early endometrial cancer with low-risk pathological features can be successfully treated by surgery alone. External beam radiotherapy added to surgery has been investigated in several small trials, which have mainly included women at intermediate risk of recurrence. In these trials, postoperative radiotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk of isolated local recurrence but there is no evidence that it improves recurrence-free or overall survival. We report the findings from the ASTEC and EN.5 trials, which investigated adjuvant external beam radiotherapy in women with early-stage disease and pathological features suggestive of intermediate or high risk of recurrence and death from endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Between July, 1996, and March, 2005, 905 (789 ASTEC, 116 EN.5) women with intermediate-risk or high-risk early-stage disease from 112 centres in seven countries (UK, Canada, Poland, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, USA) were randomly assigned after surgery to observation (453) or to external beam radiotherapy (452). A target dose of 40-46 Gy in 20-25 daily fractions to the pelvis, treating five times a week, was specified. Primary outcome measure was overall survival, and all analyses were by intention to treat. These trials were registered ISRCTN 16571884 (ASTEC) and NCT 00002807 (EN.5).

FINDINGS

After a median follow-up of 58 months, 135 women (68 observation, 67 external beam radiotherapy) had died. There was no evidence that overall survival with external beam radiotherapy was better than observation, hazard ratio 1.05 (95% CI 0.75-1.48; p=0.77). 5-year overall survival was 84% in both groups. Combining data from ASTEC and EN.5 in a meta-analysis of trials confirmed that there was no benefit in terms of overall survival (hazard ratio 1.04; 95% CI 0.84-1.29) and can reliably exclude an absolute benefit of external beam radiotherapy at 5 years of more than 3%. With brachytherapy used in 53% of women in ASTEC/EN.5, the local recurrence rate in the observation group at 5 years was 6.1%.

INTERPRETATION

Adjuvant external beam radiotherapy cannot be recommended as part of routine treatment for women with intermediate-risk or high-risk early-stage endometrial cancer with the aim of improving survival. The absolute benefit of external beam radiotherapy in preventing isolated local recurrence is small and is not without toxicity.

Efficacy of systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer (MRC ASTEC trial): a randomised study

BACKGROUND

Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is the standard surgery for stage I endometrial cancer. Systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy has been used to establish whether there is extra-uterine disease and as a therapeutic procedure; however, randomised trials need to be done to assess therapeutic efficacy. The ASTEC surgical trial investigated whether pelvic lymphadenectomy could improve survival of women with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

From 85 centres in four countries, 1408 women with histologically proven endometrial carcinoma thought preoperatively to be confined to the corpus were randomly allocated by a minimisation method to standard surgery (hysterectomy and BSO, peritoneal washings, and palpation of para-aortic nodes; n=704) or standard surgery plus lymphadenectomy (n=704). The primary outcome measure was overall survival. To control for postsurgical treatment, women with early-stage disease at intermediate or high risk of recurrence were randomised (independent of lymph-node status) into the ASTEC radiotherapy trial. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN 16571884.

FINDINGS

After a median follow-up of 37 months (IQR 24-58), 191 women (88 standard surgery group, 103 lymphadenectomy group) had died, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.16 (95% CI 0.87-1.54; p=0.31) in favour of standard surgery and an absolute difference in 5-year overall survival of 1% (95% CI -4 to 6). 251 women died or had recurrent disease (107 standard surgery group, 144 lymphadenectomy group), with an HR of 1.35 (1.06-1.73; p=0.017) in favour of standard surgery and an absolute difference in 5-year recurrence-free survival of 6% (1-12). With adjustment for baseline characteristics and pathology details, the HR for overall survival was 1.04 (0.74-1.45; p=0.83) and for recurrence-free survival was 1.25 (0.93-1.66; p=0.14).

INTERPRETATION

Our results show no evidence of benefit in terms of overall or recurrence-free survival for pelvic lymphadenectomy in women with early endometrial cancer. Pelvic lymphadenectomy cannot be recommended as routine procedure for therapeutic purposes outside of clinical trials.

Controversies surrounding lymphadenectomy and postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the endometrium

Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy have long been acknowledged to be the centerpiece of therapy for carcinoma of the endometrium. However, 30 years ago, realization of the metastatic potential of this disease, particularly to regional lymph nodes, led many clinicians to include lymphadenectomy in the surgical management of uterine cancer. Retrospective studies have since demonstrated that lymphadenectomy is associated with an acceptably low level of surgical morbidity. The incorporation of lymphadenectomy into the surgical management of uterine cancer has accompanied a dramatic reduction in the use of peri-operative radiotherapy. Though not confirmed by prospective data, retrospective series have associated complete lymphadenectomy with an improvement in survival, even in node-negative patients. Contributing to a reduction in the use of postoperative radiation in endometrial cancer have been several randomized trials demonstrating a reduction in locoregional recurrence, but at the cost of significant radiation-induced toxicity and no improvement in overall survival.

The role of postoperative radiotherapy in carcinoma of the endometrium

The role of adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma after surgery remains controversial. There is a great variation between centres in deciding when to give postoperative external beam radiotherapy and/or vaginal vault brachytherapy for patients with endometrial carcinoma. The role of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy as well as the need for postoperative radiotherapy after this type of surgical staging continue to be debated. Furthermore, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy either alone or in combination with adjuvant radiotherapy also remains to be determined. This overview discusses the role of postoperative radiotherapy in the context of surgery and other adjuvant treatments in carcinoma of the endometrium.