Analysis of vaginal recurrences in stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risk of vaginal recurrence in Stage 1 endometrial cancer and treatment morbidity associated with different therapeutic approaches

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2005, 341 patients with clinical Stage I endometrial cancer were treated at Istanbul Medical Faculty. One hundred and forty-four women were included in this study as the follow-ups and records were complete. The patients with no myometrial invasion received no further therapy following hysterectomy. When there was superficial myometrial invasion postoperative vaginal vault radiation was used, and if deep myometrial invasion was present, external pelvic radiation was given.

RESULTS

Overall 5-year survival rate for all patients with Stage I disease was 80%. Nine patients (6.25%) developed recurrent disease, three of whom had vaginal recurrences. All three vaginal recurrences were small and diagnosed at routine follow-up exam within 51 months of primary therapy.

CONCLUSION

This selective treatment protocol for patients with Stage I endometrial cancer avoided radiation entirely in 38% of the patients while achieving a very low rate of vaginal recurrence and good overall survival.