Lymphadenectomy and ovarian preservation in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma.

OBJECTIVE

To report the impact on overall survival of lymphadenectomy and ovarian preservation in patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program from 1988 to 2005. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to identify possible predictors for survival.

RESULTS

Nine hundred seventy women were reported with endometrial stromal sarcoma. The 384 women with low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma had a younger age, earlier stage, and longer survival than the 320 women with high-grade lesions. Among the low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma patients, the incidence of extrauterine disease was 25%, and lymph node metastasis was 7%. Univariable and multivariable analysis demonstrated lymph node metastasis and ovarian preservation were not significant prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSION

In low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, the risk of extrauterine spread and lymph node metastasis merit consideration for surgical staging. Neither lymph node metastasis nor ovarian preservation seems to affect the excellent overall survival of these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.