Objectives: Clinical and pathological significance of stage IIIC endometrial cancer is unclear. Our study was designed to determine the risk of recurrence among patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer according to different pathological findings.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with FIGO IIIC endometrial carcinoma (n = 48) treated in our institution between 1996 and 2005. Patients without comprehensive surgical staging were excluded. Patients were classified into two groups: with adnexae and/or uterine serosal metastasis (group A, n = 18) and without metastasis (group B, n = 20). Cox proportional hazards model was used for multiple regression analysis.
Results: Mean age was 64 years (range 46-90). Eighteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy, 17 received pelvic radiotherapy alone, and 11 received chemotherapy or hormonotherapy. At a median follow-up of 26.7 months, 12 had recurrence of the disease. Serosal and/or adnexal involvement was a negative independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival [relative risk = 3.75 (1.01-13.9); p = 0.04], whereas histological type, grade, depth of invasion and age at diagnosis had no influence.
Conclusion: Patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer and metastasis to adnexae and/or serosa have a higher risk of recurrence than those with node metastasis alone. Optimal adjuvant therapy for these groups remains unclear.
Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.