Predictors for the Recurrence of Clinically Uterine-Confined Endometrial Cancer and the Role of Cytokeratin Immunohistochemistry Stain in the Era of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the predictors for cancer recurrence in women with clinically uterine-confined endometrial cancer in the era of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping. METHODS: All consecutive women with clinically determined uterine-confined endometrial cancer who had lymph node assessment by either SLN mapping or traditional pelvic lymphadenectomy were reviewed. RESULTS: Women in the SLN mapping group had lower total dissected pelvic nodes, lower incidence of para-aortic lymph node dissection, less intraoperative blood loss and lower complication rates, but a longer operation time compared to the traditional lymphadenectomy group. Para-aortic lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio = 7.60, p = 0.03) was the sole independent predictor for recurrence-free survival. In addition, the utilization of cytokeratin immunohistochemistry stain detected more lymph node metastases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.04, p = 0.03). Recurrence-free survival did not differ between SLN mapping and traditional lymphadenectomy groups (p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Para-aortic lymph node metastasis is an important predictor of cancer recurrence. Women with negative hematoxylin and eosin stain should undergo cytokeratin immunohistochemistry stain to increase the detection rate of positive lymph node metastasis. Besides, the probabilities of recurrence seem to be similar between SLN mapping and traditional lymphadenectomy groups in women with clinically uterine-confined endometrial cancer.

Yolk sac tumor of endometrium: A case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of endometrial yolk sac tumor (YST) and review published cases of YST of the endometrium. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old female presented with intermittent vaginal spotting for nine months. An endometrial biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. Complete surgical staging operation was performed and the final pathology revealed stage II endometrial yolk sac tumor. The post-operative α-fetoprotein (AFP) level was 133.4 ng/mL. Post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) regimen was prescribed for 6 cycles. AFP levels were normal before the fourth cycle of chemotherapy. She is disease free 6 months after completion of therapy. CONCLUSION: Primary YSTs arising in the endometrium is an extremely rare disease especially in postmenopausal women. Complete surgical staging operation with adjuvant chemotherapy will lead to good outcome in this disease.