Identification of a high-risk subgroup in cytology-positive stage IIIA endometrial cancer

Significance of abnormal peritoneal cytology on survival of women with stage I-II endometrioid endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine survival of women with stage I-II endometrioid endometrial cancer whose peritoneal cytology showed malignant or atypical cells (abnormal peritoneal cytology).

METHODS

This is a multi-center retrospective study examining 1668 women with stage I-II endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent primary hysterectomy with available peritoneal cytology results between 2000 and 2015. Abnormal peritoneal cytology was correlated to clinico-pathological characteristics and oncological outcome.

RESULTS

Malignant and atypical cells were seen in 125 (7.5%) and 58 (3.5%) cases, respectively. On multivariate analysis, non-obesity, non-diabetes mellitus, cigarette use, and lympho-vascular space invasion were independently associated with abnormal peritoneal cytology (all, P<0.05). Abnormal peritoneal cytology was independently associated with decreased disease-free survival (hazard ratio 3.07, P<0.001) and cause-specific survival (hazard ratio 3.42, P=0.008) on multivariate analysis. Abnormal peritoneal cytology was significantly associated with increased risks of distant-recurrence (5-year rates: 8.8% versus 3.6%, P=0.001) but not local-recurrence (5.2% versus 3.0%, P=0.32) compared to negative cytology. Among women with stage I disease, abnormal peritoneal cytology was significantly associated with an increased risk of distant-recurrence in the low risk group (5-year rates: 5.5% versus 1.0%, P<0.001) but not in the high-intermediate risk group (13.3% versus 10.8% P=0.60). Among 183 women who had abnormal peritoneal cytology, postoperative chemotherapy significantly reduced the rate of peritoneal recurrence (5-year rates: 1.3% versus 9.2%, P=0.039) whereas postoperative radiotherapy did not (7.1% versus 5.5%, P=0.63).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that abnormal peritoneal cytology may be a prognostic factor for decreased survival in women with stage I-II endometrioid endometrial cancer, particularly for low-risk group.

Does positive peritoneal cytology not affect the prognosis for stage I uterine endometrial cancer?: the remaining controversy and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to elucidate factors that affect prognosis in patients with stage I endometrial cancer.

METHODS

The study group comprised 265 patients with stage I endometrial cancer treated surgically at either of our facilities between January 1998 and December 2010 (238 patients with negative peritoneal cytology and 27 patients with positive peritoneal cytology). Progression-free survivals were evaluated between the 2 groups, and multivariate analysis was conducted with correlation factors including positive peritoneal cytology, vessel permeation, lymph node dissection, histologic diagnosis, age at diagnosis, adjuvant chemotherapy, and the depth of myometrial invasion.

RESULTS

Disease-free survival was significantly poorer for patients with positive peritoneal cytology than those with negative peritoneal cytology on stage I disease (P = 0.000). The stratified log-rank test with vessel permeation shows the similar results. By univariate Cox model, positive peritoneal cytology, vessel permeation, and systemic lymph node dissection at surgery are significant factors on stage I endometrial cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this is a small-scale preliminary study with adjustment of other factors, positive peritoneal cytology can contribute to the risk of progression-free survival in patients with stage I endometrial cancer.

Utility and limitations of abdominal radiotherapy in the management of endometrial carcinomas

OBJECTIVE

The present review analyzes long-term survival, recurrence sites, and toxicity in women with peritoneal spread of endometrial treated with abdominal radiotherapy, in order to provide therapeutic options as a function of disease spread and histology.

METHODS

Retrospective medical record review was performed of 86 patients receiving abdominal radiotherapy for endometrial carcinomas from 1975 to 1995 at the University of Minnesota.

RESULTS

FIGO stage distribution was 54 stage IIIA, 2 stage IIIB, 11 stage IIIC, and 19 stage IVB. Disease-free survivals were 55% at 5 years, 46% at 10 years, and 36% at 20 years. Recurrence rates were 16% for stage IIIA with one peritoneal site, 48% for stage IIIA with multiple peritoneal sites or stage IIIB or stage IIIC, and 72% for stage IVB. With univariate analysis, statistical significance was found for stage, gross peritoneal disease, nodal metastases, histology, concurrent chemotherapy, isolated adnexal spread, grade, angiolymphatic invasion, myometrial invasion, and age. Multivariate analysis found only stage, histology, and age to be significant. Most recurrences were pulmonary or peritoneal. Acute toxicity was acceptable. Six percent of patients required surgical intervention for small bowel obstructions.

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal radiotherapy confers an excellent prognosis for women with stage IIIA cancers with one site of peritoneal involvement. Lack of randomized trials makes definitive treatment recommendations difficult to provide. Results are less optimal with multiple peritoneal sites of involvement, gross peritoneal spread, or papillary serous/clear cell pathology but a substantial number of such women can be cured as well.