Clinical Utility of Preoperative Computed Tomography in Patients With Endometrial Cancer:

Construction and validation of a prediction model for preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in endometrial cancer patients by apparent diffusion coefficient

AIM

Ki-67 is a marker of cell proliferation and is increasingly being used as a primary outcome measure in preoperative window studies of endometrial cancer (EC). This study explored the feasibility of using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in noninvasive prediction of Ki-67 expression levels in EC patients before surgery, and constructs a nomogram by combining clinical data.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 280 EC patients who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in our hospital from January 2017 to February 2023. Evaluate the potential nonlinear relationship between ADC values and Ki-67 expression using the nomogram. The included patients were randomized into a training set (n = 186) and a validation set (n = 84). Using a combination of logistic regression and LASSO regression results, from which the four best predictors were identified for the construction of the nomogram. The accuracy and clinical applicability of the nomogram were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

The results of this study showed a nonlinear correlation between ADCmin and Ki-67 expression (nonlinear P = 0.019), and the nonlinear correlation between ADCmean and Ki-67 expression (nonlinear P = 0.019). In addition, this study constructed the nomogram by incorporating ADCmax, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and chemotherapy. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the ROC for nomogram, ADCmax, FIGO, chemotherapy and grade in the training set were 0.783, 0.718, 0.579, 0.636, and 0.654, respectively. In the validation set, the AUC values for nomogram, ADCmax, FIGO, chemotherapy, and grade were 0.820, 0.746, 0.558, 0.542, and 0.738, respectively. In addition, the calibration curves and the DCA curves suggested a better predictive efficacy of the model.

CONCLUSION

A nomogram prediction model constructed on the basis of ADCmax values combined with clinical data can be used as an effective method to noninvasively assess Ki-67 expression in EC patients before surgery.

The Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Endometrial Cancer at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Saudi Arabia From 2010 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) has multiple modalities of treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). There is limited research work conducted in Saudi Arabia that shows the benefits of using NACT, followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) for stages III-IV EC patients. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using NACT compared to other modalities of treatment in the last 11 years in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

The data of the patients were collected retrospectively between 2010 and 2022 at Princess Noura Oncology Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The population was divided based on receiving NACT or taking other modalities for the purpose of assessing the mean survival time in both groups. Best-case and worst-case scenario models were used to illustrate the survival rate of both stages.

RESULTS

Forty patients with stages III-IV EC were included and grouped based on the treatment modality. Fourteen (35%) patients were receiving NACT followed by IDS compared with 26 (65%) patients who were using other modalities. In both stages III-IV patients, the mean survival time in the best-case scenario was 49 months in patients treated with NACT, and 82 months in patients who received other modalities. Regarding the worst-case scenario, the average survival time for patients treated with NACT was 22.89 months, which was significantly lower than the average survival time of 56.30 months for patients treated with other therapies.

CONCLUSION

In the worst-case scenario, advanced EC patients who underwent NACT had a lower mean survival time than other treatment modalities. However, using NACT is not connected to the outcome in the best-case scenario.

Sentinel node mapping in high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer: Analysis of 5-year oncologic outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To assess 5-year oncologic outcomes of apparent early-stage high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer undergoing sentinel node mapping versus systematic lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

This is a multi-institutional retrospective, propensity-matched study evaluating data of high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer (according to ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines) undergoing sentinel node mapping versus systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy (with and without para-aortic lymphadenectomy). Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard methods.

RESULTS

Overall, the charts of 242 patients with high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer were retrieved. Data on 73 (30.1%) patients undergoing hysterectomy plus sentinel node mapping were analyzed. Forty-two (57.5%) and 31 (42.5%) patients were classified in the high-intermediate and high-risk groups, respectively. Unilateral sentinel node mapping was achieved in all patients. Bilateral mapping was achieved in 67 (91.7%) patients. Three (4.1%) patients had site-specific lymphadenectomy (two pelvic areas only and one pelvic plus para-aortic area), while adjunctive nodal dissection was omitted in the hemipelvis of the other three (4.1%) patients. Sentinel nodes were detected in the para-aortic area in eight (10.9%) patients. Twenty-four (32.8%) patients were diagnosed with nodal disease. A propensity-score matching was used to compare the aforementioned group of patients undergoing sentinel node mapping with a group of patients undergoing lymphadenectomy. Seventy patient pairs were selected (70 having sentinel node mapping vs. 70 having lymphadenectomy). Patients undergoing sentinel node mapping experienced similar 5-year disease-free survival (HR: 1.233; 95%CI: 0.6217 to 2.444; p = 0.547, log-rank test) and 5-year overall survival (HR: 1.505; 95%CI: 0.6752 to 3.355; p = 0.256, log-rank test) than patients undergoing lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Sentinel node mapping does not negatively impact 5-year outcomes of high-intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Recent advances in the management of postmenopausal women with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia

Non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia is a benign disease without significant somatic genetic changes. Postmenopausal women with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia have a significant risk of progression to endometrial cancer and persistent endometrial hyperplasia. Most cases of atypical endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women are treated surgically, including hysterectomy. At present, the treatment of postmenopausal women with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia is still controversial. Correct and timely diagnosis and treatment are of great significance to prevent progression of the lesion. This study mainly provides an updated synthesis of the literature that investigates the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal women with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia. As of December 2022, a literature search related to postmenopausal non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia was conducted on the PubMed database. For most postmenopausal patients with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia, regular re-examination should be performed during conservative treatment. For postmenopausal patients with endometrial cancer risk factors, persistent non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia or progesterone contraindications, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy should be the first choice.

An Overview of Endometrial Cancer with Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Endometrial cancer (EC) stands as the most prevalent gynecologic malignancy. In the past, it was classified based on its hormone sensitivity. However, The Cancer Genome Atlas has categorized EC into four groups, which offers a more objective and reproducible classification and has been shown to have prognostic and therapeutic implications. Hormonally driven EC arises from a precursor lesion known as endometrial hyperplasia, resulting from unopposed estrogen. EC is usually diagnosed through biopsy, followed by surgical staging unless advanced disease is expected. The typical staging consists of a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsies, with a preference placed on a minimally invasive approach. The stage of the disease is the most significant prognostic marker. However, factors such as age, histology, grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, tumor size, peritoneal cytology, hormone receptor status, ploidy and markers, body mass index, and the therapy received all contribute to the prognosis. Treatment is tailored based on the stage and the risk of recurrence. Radiotherapy is primarily used in the early stages, and chemotherapy can be added if high-grade histology or advanced-stage disease is present. The risk of EC recurrence increases with advances in stage. Among the recurrences, vaginal cases exhibit the most favorable response to treatment, typically for radiotherapy. Conversely, the treatment of widespread recurrence is currently palliative and is best managed with chemotherapy or hormonal agents. Most recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for advanced and recurrent EC.

Preoperative CA125 Significantly Improves Risk Stratification in High-Grade Endometrial Cancer

Patients with high-grade endometrial carcinoma (EC) have an increased risk of tumor spread and lymph node metastasis (LNM). Preoperative imaging and CA125 can be used in work-up. As data on cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in high-grade EC are limited, we aimed to study primarily the predictive value of CA125, and secondarily the contributive value of computed tomography (CT) for advanced stage and LNM. Patients with high-grade EC (n = 333) and available preoperative CA125 were included retrospectively. The association of CA125 and CT findings with LNM was analyzed by logistic regression. Elevated CA125 ((>35 U/mL), (35.2% (68/193)) was significantly associated with stage III-IV disease (60.3% (41/68)) compared with normal CA125 (20.8% (26/125), [p < 0.001]), and with reduced disease-specific-(DSS) (p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). The overall accuracy of predicting LNM by CT resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.623 (p < 0.001) independent of CA125. Stratification by CA125 resulted in an AUC of 0.484 (normal), and 0.660 (elevated). In multivariate analysis elevated CA125, non-endometrioid histology, pathological deep myometrial invasion ≥50%, and cervical involvement were significant predictors of LNM, whereas suspected LNM on CT was not. This shows that elevated CA125 is a relevant independent predictor of advanced stage and outcome specifically in high-grade EC.

It is not the time to abandon intraoperative frozen section in endometrioid adenocarcinoma: A large-scale, multi-center, and retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Stage IB (deep myometrial invasion) high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EA), regardless of LVSI status, is classified into high-intermediate risk groups, requiring surgical lymph node staging. Intraoperative frozen section (IFS) is commonly used, but its adequacy and reliability vary between reports. Hence, we determined the utility of IFS in identification of high-risk factors, including deep myometrial invasion and high-grade.

METHOD

We retrospectively analyzed 9,985 cases operated with hysterectomy and diagnosed with FIGO stage I/II EA in postoperative paraffin section (PS) results at 30 Chinese hospitals from 2000 to 2019. We determined diagnostic performance of IFS and investigated whether the addition of IFS to preoperative biopsy and imaging could improve identification of high-risk factors.

RESULTS

IFS and postoperative PS presented the highest concordance in assessing deep myometrial invasion (Kappa: 0.834), followed by intraoperative gross examination (IGE Kappa: 0.643), MRI (Kappa: 0.395), and CT (Kappa: 0.207). IFS and postoperative PS presented the highest concordance for high-grade EA (Kappa: 0.585) compared to diagnostic curettage (D&C 0.226) and hysteroscope (Hys 0.180). Sensitivity and specificity for detecting deep myometrial invasion were 86.21 and 97.20% for IFS versus 51.72 and 88.81% for MRI, 68.97 and 94.41% for IGE. These figures for detecting high-grade EA were 58.21 and 96.50% for IFS versus 16.42 and 98.83% for D&C, 13.43 and 98.64% for Hys. Parallel strategies, including MRI-IFS (Kappa: 0.626), D&C-IFS (Kappa: 0.595), and Hys-IFS (Kappa: 0.578) improved the diagnostic efficiencies of individual preoperative examinations. Based on the high sensitivity of IFS, parallel strategies improved the sensitivities of preoperative examinations to 89.66% (MRI), 64.18% (D&C), 62.69% (Hys), respectively, and these differences were statistically significant (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

IFS presented reasonable agreement rates predicting postoperative PS results, including deep myometrial invasion and high-grade. IFS helps identify high-intermediate risk patients in preoperative biopsy and MRI and guides intraoperative lymphadenectomy decisions in EA.

Endometrial Cytology in Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy

BACKGROUND

Because the incidence of endometrial cancer has been increasing every year, it is important to identify an effective screening method for it. The endometrial cytology test (ECT) is considered to be the more acceptable technique compared to invasive endometrial sampling.

METHODS

The study followed the Priority Reporting Project for Systematic Evaluation and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA-DTA) protocol. This systematic rating searched EMBASE and Web of Science databases for studies on ECT for endometrial cancer from the databases' dates of inception to 30 September 2022. All literature screening and data extraction were performed by two researchers, while the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed against defined inclusion criteria. And a third researcher resolves the disagreements.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were eventually included in this final analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that the diagnostic accuracy characteristics of ECT for endometrial cancer were as follows: combined sensitivity = 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.83-0.86)], combined specificity = 0.98 [95% CI (0.98-0.98)], combined positive likelihood ratio = 34.65 [95% CI (20.90-57.45)], combined negative likelihood ratio = 0.21 [95% CI (0.15-0.30)], and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.9673.

CONCLUSIONS

ECT had the ability to detect endometrial cancer with strong specificity, although some studies have demonstrated significant differences in sensitivity.

Preoperative and intraoperative assessment of myometrial invasion in patients with FIGO stage I non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma-a large-scale, multi-center, and retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Myometrial invasion is a prognostic factor for lymph node metastases and decreased survival in non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma patients. Herein, we explored the mode of myometrial invasion diagnosis in FIGO stage I non-endometrioid carcinoma and evaluated the differences in diagnostic efficiency among intraoperative frozen section (IFS), intraoperative gross examination (IGE), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. Finally, we suggested which test should be routinely performed.

METHOD

This was a historical cohort study nationwide with 30 centers in China between January 2000 and December 2019. Clinical data, including age, histology, method of myometrial invasion evaluation (MRI, CT, IGE, and IFS), and final diagnosis of postoperative paraffin sections, were collected from 490 non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (serous, clear cell, undifferentiated, mixed carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma) women in FIGO stage I.

RESULTS

Among the 490 patients, 89.59% presented myometrial invasion. The methods reported for myometrial invasion assessment were IFS in 23.47%, IGE in 69.59%, MRI in 37.96%, and CT in 10.20% of cases. The highest concordance was detected between IFS and postoperative paraffin sections (Kappa = 0.631, accuracy = 93.04%), followed by IGE (Kappa = 0.303, accuracy = 82.40%), MRI (Kappa = 0.131, accuracy = 69.35%), and CT (Kappa = 0.118, accuracy = 50.00%). A stable diagnostic agreement between IFS and the final results was also found through the years (2000-2012: Kappa = 0.776; 2013-2014: Kappa = 0.625; 2015-2016: Kappa = 0.545; 2017-2019: Kappa = 0.652).

CONCLUSION

In China, the assessment of myometrial invasion in non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma is often performed via IGE, but the reliability is relatively low in contrast to IFS. In clinical practice, IFS is a reliable method that can help accurately assess myometrial invasion and intraoperative decision-making (lymph node dissection or not). Hence, it should be routinely performed in non-endometrioid endometrial carcinoma patients.

Radiomics and Molecular Classification in Endometrial Cancer (The ROME Study): A Step Forward to a Simplified Precision Medicine

Molecular/genomic profiling is the most accurate method to assess prognosis of endometrial cancer patients. Radiomic profiling allows for the extraction of mineable high-dimensional data from clinical radiological images, thus providing noteworthy information regarding tumor tissues. Interestingly, the adoption of radiomics shows important results for screening, diagnosis and prognosis, across various radiological systems and oncologic specialties. The central hypothesis of the prospective trial is that combining radiomic features with molecular features might allow for the identification of various classes of risks for endometrial cancer, e.g., predicting unfavorable molecular/genomic profiling. The rationale for the proposed research is that once validated, radiomics applied to ultrasonographic images would be an effective, innovative and inexpensive method for tailoring operative and postoperative treatment modalities in endometrial cancer. Patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer will have ultrasonographic evaluation and radiomic analysis of the ultrasonographic images. We will correlate radiomic features with molecular/genomic profiling to classify prognosis.

Three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound vs magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative staging of deep myometrial and cervical invasion in patients with endometrial cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D-TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for deep myometrial infiltration (DMI) and cervical invasion for preoperative staging and surgery planning in patients with endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the DTA of MRI and 3D-TVS for DMI and cervical invasion in patients with EC. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EU Clinical Trials Register and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and December 2021. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool.

RESULTS

Five studies, including a total of 450 patients, were included in the systematic review. All five studies compared the DTA of 3D-TVS vs MRI for DMI, and three studies compared the DTA of 3D-TVS vs MRI for cervical invasion. Pooled sensitivity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio for detecting DMI using 3D-TVS were 77% (95% CI, 66-85%), 4.57 and 0.31, respectively. The respective values for detecting DMI on MRI were 80% (95% CI, 73-86%), 4.22 and 0.24. Bivariate metaregression indicated a similar DTA of 3D-TVS and MRI (P = 0.80) for the correct identification of DMI. Pooled ln diagnostic odds ratio for detecting cervical invasion was 3.11 (95% CI, 2.09-4.14) for 3D-TVS and 2.36 (95% CI, 0.90-3.83) for MRI. The risk of bias was low for most of the four domains assessed in QUADAS-2.

CONCLUSION

3D-TVS demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy in terms of sensitivity and specificity for the evaluation of DMI and cervical invasion, with results comparable with those of MRI. Thus, we confirmed the potential role of 3D-TVS in the preoperative staging and surgery planning in patients with EC. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Management of inoperable endometrial cancer

Some endometrial cancer (EMC) patients are not good candidates for primary surgery. The three major types of treatment for inoperable EMC are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or their combination as neoadjuvant treatment before surgery. Radiation therapy alone (of different modes) has been used as the sole definitive therapeutic modality, particularly for early-stage disease that is limited to the uterine body and cervix with or without parametrial invasion. The most common treatment modality is neoadjuvant treatment before surgery. Postoperative adjuvant treatment is also occasionally used, depending mainly on the sites of the disease and the results of surgery. Data on neoadjuvant hormonal or radiation therapy are limited, with studies focusing on laboratory outcomes or having only a small number of patients. Most neoadjuvant treatments before surgery involved chemotherapy and fewer combined chemoradiotherapy. Surgery was generally performed, particularly in patients who had shown responses or at least stable disease to neoadjuvant treatment. Perioperative outcomes after neoadjuvant treatment were superior to those after primary surgery, whereas survival data were still inconsistent. Features that had or tended to have a favorable prognosis were younger age, early-stage disease, response to neoadjuvant treatment, low preoperative cancer antigen-125 level, and optimal surgery. Among different modalities of neoadjuvant treatment, which has become a frequent mode of treatment, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was more common than radiation therapy alone or chemoradiation.

Factors predicting morbidity in surgically-staged high-risk endometrial cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors predicting the risk of developing 90-day postoperative complications and lymphatic-specific morbidity in patients undergoing surgical staging for high-risk endometrial cancer.

METHODS

This is a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. Patients affected by apparent early-stage high-risk endometrial cancer (endometrioid FIGO grade 3 with deep myometrial invasion and non-endometrioid endometrial cancer) undergoing surgical staging between 2007 and 2019. Complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Martin criteria were applied to improve quality of complications reporting.

RESULTS

Charts of 279 patients were evaluated. Lymphadenectomy, sentinel node mapping (SNM), and SNM followed by back-up lymphadenectomy were performed in 83 (29.7%), 50 (17.9%), and 146 (52.4%) patients, respectively. The former group of patients included 13 patients who had lymphadenectomy after the failure of the SNM technique. Thirteen (4.6%) patients developed severe postoperative events (grade 3 or worse). At multivariate analysis, body mass index (OR: 1.08 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.17)) and open abdominal surgery (OR: 2.27 (95%CI: 1.02, 5.32)) were the two independent factors predictive of surgery-related morbidity. Seven severe lymphatic complications occurred. The adoption of laparoscopic approach (p < 0.001, log-rank test) and SNM (p = 0.038, log-rank test) correlated with a lower risk of developing surgery-related events. Independently, open abdominal surgery was associated with an increased risk of developing lymphatic morbidity (OR: 37.4 (95%CI: 4.38, 319.5); p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The adoption of the laparoscopic approach and SNM technique were associated with lower 90-day complication rates than open surgery in high-risk endometrial cancer undergoing staging surgery.

ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines for the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma

A European consensus conference on endometrial carcinoma was held in 2014 to produce multidisciplinary evidence-based guidelines on selected questions. Given the large body of literature on the management of endometrial carcinoma published since 2014, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) jointly decided to update these evidence-based guidelines and to cover new topics in order to improve the quality of care for women with endometrial carcinoma across Europe and worldwide. ESGO/ESTRO/ESP nominated an international multidisciplinary development group consisting of practicing clinicians and researchers who have demonstrated leadership and expertise in the care and research of endometrial carcinoma (27 experts across Europe). To ensure that the guidelines are evidence-based, the literature published since 2014, identified from a systematic search was reviewed and critically appraised. In the absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the development group. The guidelines are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 191 independent international practitioners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives. The guidelines comprehensively cover endometrial carcinoma staging, definition of prognostic risk groups integrating molecular markers, pre- and intra-operative work-up, fertility preservation, management for early, advanced, metastatic, and recurrent disease and palliative treatment. Principles of radiotherapy and pathological evaluation are also defined.

The diagnosis of endometrial cancer in women with asymptomatic endometrial polyp does not increase survival rates: an israel gynecologic oncology group study

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic women with endometrial cancer and a preoperative diagnosis of an endometrial polyp.

DESIGN

An Israel Gynecologic Oncology Group multi-center retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Of 635 patients with endometrial cancer and a preoperative diagnosis of an endometrial polyp who underwent surgery between 2002 and 2014 in one of 11 centers in Israel were divided into two groups according to the presence of bleeding symptoms. Outcome measures included recurrence-free survival, disease-specific survival and overall survival. Survival data were plotted according to the method of Kaplan and Meier and compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

There were 513 symptomatic and 122 asymptomatic women with endometrial cancer and a preoperative diagnosis of an endometrial polyp. The median follow-up was 52 months (range 12-120 months). There were no differences between patients who experienced bleeding and those who did not in 5-year recurrence-free survival (85.2 % vs. 85.7 %; p=0.83, respectively), disease-specific survival (88.2 % vs. 89.2 %; p=0.71, respectively), or overall survival (80.2% vs. 78.4 %; p=0.97, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of endometrial cancer in patients with asymptomatic endometrial polyps is not associated with improved outcomes as compared with patients with bleeding. In the absence of factors indicating a high risk of endometrial cancer, clinical and sonographic follow-up is the advised management strategy for these patients.

ESGO/ESTRO/ESP Guidelines for the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma

A European consensus conference on endometrial carcinoma was held in 2014 to produce multidisciplinary evidence-based guidelines on selected questions. Given the large body of literature on the management of endometrial carcinoma published since 2014, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) jointly decided to update these evidence-based guidelines and to cover new topics in order to improve the quality of care for women with endometrial carcinoma across Europe and worldwide. ESGO/ESTRO/ESP nominated an international multidisciplinary development group consisting of practicing clinicians and researchers who have demonstrated leadership and expertise in the care and research of endometrial carcinoma (27 experts across Europe). To ensure that the guidelines are evidence-based, the literature published since 2014, identified from a systematic search was reviewed and critically appraised. In the absence of any clear scientific evidence, judgment was based on the professional experience and consensus of the development group. The guidelines are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines were reviewed by 191 independent international practitioners in cancer care delivery and patient representatives. The guidelines comprehensively cover endometrial carcinoma staging, definition of prognostic risk groups integrating molecular markers, pre- and intra-operative work-up, fertility preservation, management for early, advanced, metastatic, and recurrent disease and palliative treatment. Principles of radiotherapy and pathological evaluation are also defined.

The use of imaging in endometrial cancer prior to potential surgery: Are guidelines being followed?

OBJECTIVES

Clinical practice guidelines recommend against routine preoperative axial imaging studies (CT/MRI) for endometrial cancer, except for cases of locally advanced disease or aggressive histologies. This study utilized population-based data to evaluate the use of preoperative imaging and factors associated with its use.

METHODS

A population-based cohort of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer from 2006 to 2016 were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry in Ontario, Canada. Patients were excluded if they had: hysterectomy prior to the date of diagnosis, non-epithelial histology or a prior cancer diagnosis within 5 years. Preoperative imaging (CT or MRI) rates were calculated over time. Predictive factors for preoperative imaging use were determined using multi-variable regression analysis.

RESULTS

17,718 cases were eligible for analysis. From 2006 to 2016, the proportion of patients receiving preoperative imaging increased from 22.2% to 39.3%. In a subgroup of patients with low-risk disease (stage 1, endometrioid adenocarcinoma), imaging increased from 16.3% to 29.5%. Multivariate analysis showed an association between preoperative imaging and advanced stage, advanced grade, non-endometrioid morphology, surgery with a gynecologic oncologist, surgery at a teaching hospital and a later year of diagnosis. From 2006 to 2016, the yearly incidence of endometrial cancer increased from 22.3/100,000 to 36.1/100,000, representing a mean annual increase of 3.6% per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Endometrial cancer incidence and the use of preoperative imaging are increasing. Factors most associated with preoperative imaging are high-risk features. However, preoperative imaging is still being performed in low-risk patients, indicating non-adherence to guidelines, which has implications for constrained healthcare resources.

ESGO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines for the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma

A European consensus conference on endometrial carcinoma was held in 2014 to produce multi-disciplinary evidence-based guidelines on selected questions. Given the large body of literature on the management of endometrial carcinoma published since 2014, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) jointly decided to update these evidence-based guidelines and to cover new topics in order to improve the quality of care for women with endometrial carcinoma across Europe and worldwide.

Lymph node evaluation in endometrial cancer: how did it change over the last two decades?

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries, and surgery represents the pivotal part of treatment. Hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy allow removing the primary tumor and defining patients at higher risk, who might benefit from adjuvant therapies. Minimally invasive surgery is associated with superior postoperative outcomes and represents a safe and effective approach for surgical staging of EC. The lymph node status evaluation in EC is still a matter of debate. Over the last twenty years much has changed, moving from a full systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy for staging purpose to the removal of the pelvic (with or without paraaortic) lymph nodes only in selected EC classes of risk. Two randomized trials failed to demonstrate survival benefits of lymphadenectomy in case of apparent early stage EC; however, its prognostic role has never been questioned. At present, with the aim of reducing the surgical-related morbidity, sentinel node mapping is emerging as a safe and valid alternative to lymphadenectomy for EC staging, demonstrating high accuracy and an increased detection of lymph nodes metastasis. Here, we performed a review of the most significant studies, which supported the changes in the lymph node status evaluation for EC over the last two decades.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Biomarkers for Preoperative Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Endometrial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

In endometrial carcinoma (EC), preoperative classification is based on histopathological criteria, with only moderate diagnostic performance for the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). So far, existing molecular classification systems have not been evaluated for prediction of LNM. Optimized use of clinical biomarkers as recommended by international guidelines might be a first step to improve tailored treatment, awaiting future molecular biomarkers.

AIM

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative clinical biomarkers for the prediction of LNM in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Studies identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE were selected by two independent reviewers. Included biomarkers were based on recommended guidelines (cancer antigen 125 [Ca-125], lymphadenopathy on magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography [¹⁸FDG PET-CT]) or obtained by physical examination (body mass index, cervical cytology, blood cell counts). Pooled sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and likelihood ratios were calculated with bivariate random-effects meta-analysis. Likelihood ratios were classified into small (0.5-1.0 or 1-2.0), moderate (0.2-0.5 or 2.0-5.0) or large (0.1-0.2 or ≥ 5.0) impact.

RESULTS

Eighty-three studies, comprising 18,205 patients, were included. Elevated Ca-125 and thrombocytosis were associated with a moderate increase in risk of LNM; lymphadenopathy on imaging with a large increase. Normal Ca-125, cytology, and no lymphadenopathy on ¹⁸FDG PET-CT were associated with a moderate decrease. AUCs were above 0.75 for these biomarkers. Other biomarkers had an AUC <0.75 and incurred only small impact.

CONCLUSION

Ca-125, thrombocytosis, and imaging had a large and moderate impact on risk of LNM and could improve preoperative risk stratification.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Routine lymphadenectomy in clinical early-stage endometrial carcinoma does not improve outcome and is associated with 15%-20% surgery-related morbidity, underlining the need for improved preoperative risk stratification. New molecular classification systems are emerging but have not yet been evaluated for the prediction of lymph node metastasis. This article provides a robust overview of diagnostic performance of all clinical biomarkers recommended by international guidelines. Based on these, at least measurement of cancer antigen 125 serum level, assessment of thrombocytosis, and imaging focused on lymphadenopathy should complement current preoperative risk stratification in order to better stratify these patients by risk.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery for unresectable stage IVB Serous endometrial cancer

Objective:

To test the safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery in unresectable stage IVB serous endometrial cancer.

Methods:

Data of consecutive stage IVB serous endometrial cancer are reviewed. Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery were propensity matched with patients undergoing primary surgery followed by adjuvant treatment.

Results:

Thirty-four patients were diagnosed with a stage IVB endometrial cancer. Fifteen (44.1%) patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery; while 19 (55.8%) patients had primary cytoreduction. Among this latter group, 15 (78.9%) patients were selected, using a propensity-matched algorithm. Results of propensity-matching baseline characteristics of patients included were similar between groups. Patients having neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery had shorter length of hospital stay (4 [1.40] vs 6 [2.5] days; p=0.011) compared with patients in the control group. Moreover, patients in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group experienced a trend toward shorter operative time (127 [62] vs 177.6 [84.5] minutes; p=0.072) and lower transfusion rate than patients in the control group (6.6% vs 33.3%; p=0.067). Cytoreduction rate was similar between groups (p=0.962). No difference in postoperative morbidity was recorded. Median disease-free survival was 12.0 vs 15.3 months in the experimental vs control group (p=0.663; log-rank test). Median overall survival was 16.7 vs 18.0 months in the experimental vs control group (p=0.349; log-rank test).

Conclusions:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy might be a valuable treatment modality for patients with unresectable stage IVB serous endometrial cancer. Innovative treatments are warranted in this cluster of patients.

[Primary management of endometrial carcinoma. Joint recommendations of the French society of gynecologic oncology (SFOG) and of the French college of obstetricians and gynecologists (CNGOF)]

OBJECTIVES

The management of endometrial carcinoma is constantly evolving. The SFOG and the CNGOF decided to jointly update the previous French recommendations (Institut national du cancer 2011) and to adapt to the French practice the 2015 recommendations elaborated at the time of joint European consensus conference with the participation of the three concerned European societies (ESGO, ESTRO, ESMO).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A strict methodology was used. A steering committee was put together. A systematic review of the literature since 2011 has been carried out. A first draft of the recommendations has been elaborated, with emphasis on high level of evidence. An external review by users representing all the concerned discipines and all kinds of practice was completed. Three hundred and four comments were sent by 54 reviewers.

RESULTS

The management of endometrial carcinoma requires a precise preoperative workup. A provisional estimate of the final stage is provided. This estimation impact the level of surgical staging. Surgery should use a minimal invasive approach. The final pathology is the key of the decision concerning adjuvant therapy, which involves surveillance, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, or chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The management algorithms allow a fast, state of the art based, answer to the clinical questions raised by the management of endometrial cancer. They must be used only in the setting of a multidisciplinary team at all stages of the management.