Clinicopathologic features and treatment in patients with early stage uterine clear cell carcinoma: A 16-year experience

Gynecol Oncol. 2019 Aug;154(2):328-332. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.06.001. Epub 2019 Jun 18.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate clinicopathologic factors and adjuvant treatment effects on recurrence free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in early stage uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCCC).

Methods: Our retrospective review included central pathology confirmed stage I or II UCCC treated and/or followed between 2000 and 2016. Cases with pure or mixed histology with >50% UCCC were included. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regressions.

Results: 112 women were identified. Median age was 65.5 years (range 34-94). Most patients had mixed UCCC (61%), while 39% had pure UCCC. The majority of patients had stage IA UCCC (66%) versus stage IB (15%) or stage II (18%) disease. Adjuvant treatment included chemotherapy + radiation (26%), brachytherapy (27%), whole pelvic radiation (15%), chemotherapy alone (8%), and observation (24%). Thirty-eight (34%) women had recurrent disease. Median RFS was 4.32 years (95% CI 2.77-5.78). On multivariate analysis, age ≥70 (HR 2.48, 95% 1.28-4.81) and positive LVSI (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.15-4.18) were associated with shorter RFS. Median OS was 9.8 years (95% CI 7.46-15.93). On multivariate analyses, age ≥70 (HR 3.57, 95% CI 1.64-7.74) and positive LVSI (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.12-5.37) were associated with shorter OS. In this retrospective descriptive uncontrolled patient series, adjuvant treatment type did not impact RFS or OS.

Conclusions: OS approaches 10 years for early stage UCCC patients. Women ≥70 years have worse PFS and OS regardless of treatment modality, encouraging consideration of quality of life implications when electing for adjuvant therapy.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Clear cell carcinoma; Endometrial cancer; Radiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brachytherapy
  • Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Watchful Waiting