Role of systematic lymphadenectomy in the treatment strategy of endometrial cancer and feasibility study for carrying out the surgery / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Background and purpose: The role of lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer is still controversial. Few gynecologists in China carry out pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy for patients with endometrial cancer. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of systematic lymphadenectomy in the treatment strategy of endometrial cancer and the feasibility in carrying out the surgery. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with endometrial cancer who experienced surgical staging at Cancer Hospital, Fudan University from January 2005 to July 2008. Lymph nodes metastatic status, alteration of adjuvant therapy and surgical complications were discussed. Results: Nineteen (14.8%) of 128 patients undergoing systematic lymphadanectomy had lymph node metastases both pelvic and para-aortic in 7 patients, only pelvic in 8 patients, and exclusively isolated to the para-aortic area in 4 patients. Therefore, more than half of the patients with lymphatic dissemination had para-aortic lymph nodes metastases. Tumor grade, histological type, myometrial invasion and lymph-vascular space invasion were associated with lymph nodes metastases. Adjuvant chemotherapy and/or tumor-directed radiotherapy were needed for 15 patients upstaged due to lymph-nodal invasion (P<0.05). Furthermore, adjuvant therapy was eliminated for 50 intermediate/intermediate-high risk patients with negative lymph nodes and extrauterine spread. Complications were found in 8 patients 3 pelvic infection, 2 residual vaginal bleeding, and 1 pero-bowel obstruction, 1 deep venous thrombosis accompanied with lymphocyst, and 1 lacunar infarction. The median time of the procedure was 150 minutes, median blood loss was 300 mL, and 27 patients received blood transfusion. Conclusion: The findings of the current study suggest that it is safe and feasible to carry out systematic lymphadenectomy in women with endometrial cancer. Surgical staging can assess the status of lymph nodes, provide accurate prognostic information, and help to formulate adjuvant therapy after surgery.