A prospective randomized comparison between laparoscopic and laparotomic approaches in women with early stage endometrial cancer: a focus on the quality of life

Surgical Treatment for Endometrial Cancer, Hysterectomy Performed via Minimally Invasive Routes Compared with Open Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Background: Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy via minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has emerged as the standard of care for early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). Prior systematic reviews and meta-analyses have focused on outcomes reported solely from randomised controlled trials (RCTs), overlooking valuable data from non-randomised studies. This inaugural systematic review and network meta-analysis comprehensively compares clinical and oncological outcomes between MIS and open surgery for early-stage EC, incorporating evidence from randomised and non-randomised studies. Methods: This study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020186959). All original research of any experimental design reporting clinical and oncological outcomes of surgical treatment for endometrial cancer was included. Study selection was restricted to English-language peer-reviewed journal articles published 1 January 1995-31 December 2021. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 99 studies were included in the network meta-analysis, comprising 181,716 women and 14 outcomes. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery demonstrated reduced blood loss and length of hospital stay but increased operating time. Compared with laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted surgery was associated with a significant reduction in ileus (OR = 0.40, 95% CrI: 0.17-0.87) and total intra-operative complications (OR = 0.38, 95% CrI: 0.17-0.75) as well as a higher disease-free survival (OR = 2.45, 95% CrI: 1.04-6.34). Conclusions: For treating early endometrial cancer, minimal-access surgery via robotic-assisted or laparoscopic techniques appears safer and more efficacious than open surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery is associated with fewer complications and favourable oncological outcomes.

Recent management of endometrial cancer: a narrative review of the literature

Endometrial cancer is a common female gynecological neoplasia and its incidence rate has increased in the past years. Due to its predominant symptoms, most women will present uterine bleeding. It is usually diagnosed at an early stage and surgery has an important role in the treatment plan. The prognosis and quality of life of these patients can be quite favorable, if proper treatment is offered by surgeons. Traditionally, more invasive approaches and procedures were offered to these patients, but recent data suggest that more conservative and minimal invasive choices can be adopted in the treatment algorithm. Minimal invasive surgery, such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery, should be considered as an acceptable alternative, compared to laparotomy with less comorbidities and similar oncological and survival outcomes. Furthermore, sentinel lymph node biopsy has emerged in the surgical staging of endometrial cancer, in order to replace comprehensive lymphadenectomy. It is associated with less intra- and postoperative complications, while preliminary data show no difference in survival rates. However, sentinel lymph node biopsy should be offered within a strict algorithm, to avoid residual metastatic disease. The aim of this review is to analyze all the available data for the application of minimal invasive surgery in early endometrial cancer and especially the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Long-term outcome of minimally invasive staging surgery for clinical stage I endometrial cancer: A single institute experience in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer in developed countries. With recent advances in equipment and knowledge, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is widely accepted for the treatment of endometrial cancer. This study had the largest number of cases to date in Taiwan, comparing outcomes between MIS and laparotomy staging surgery using real-world data with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with clinical stage 1 endometrial cancer from 2009 to 2020 in our institute. All patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging procedures by MIS or laparotomy. The safety, morbidity, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rates of the two groups were compared. Clinical and pathologic factors were compared with Chi-square and Fisher Exact test. PFS and OS were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences between survival curves were analyzed using the log-rank test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Using Cox proportional hazards models, all factors found to be significantly associated with risk of recurrence on univariate analyses were then assessed together through multivariable models, resulting in a final oncologic outcome between MIS and laparotomy.

RESULTS

A total of 665 cases (412 cases in MIS group and 253 cases in laparotomy group) were enrolled for data analysis. Median operation time was shorter in MIS group (244 and 265 minutes, p < 0.001). Median blood loss was also less (75 and 430 mL, p < 0.001). Median postoperative hospitalization duration was longer in the laparotomy group (2 and 7 days, p = 0.001). After adjusting presurgery risk factors, the PFS and OS were no significant difference in MIS and laparotomy groups.

CONCLUSION

Using real-world data with long-term follow-up, we could confirm excellent PFS and OS in selective patients with clinical stage 1 endometrial carcinoma who received MIS, and the surgical time, hospital day, and blood loss were also less.

Laparoscopic Versus Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) and open abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH) have been used for cervical cancer treatment. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of LRH and ARH in the treatment of cervical cancer to provide reliable evidence to the clinical cervical cancer treatment.

METHODS

Two investigators independently searched PubMed and other databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LRH and ARH for cervical cancer treatment up to May 31, 2022. The risk of bias assessment tool recommended by Cochrane library was used for quality assessment. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fourteen RCTs with a total of 1700 patients with cervical cancer were finally included. Meta-analyses indicated that compared with ARH, LRH reduced the intraoperative blood loss (mean difference [MD]=-58.08; 95% CI, -70.91, -45.24), the time to first passage of flatus (MD=-14.50; 95% CI, -16.55, -12.44) (all P <0.05), and increase the number of lymph nodes removed (MD=3.47; 95% CI, 0.51, 6.43; P =0.02). There were no significant differences in the duration of surgery (MD=27.62; 95% CI, -6.26, 61.49), intraoperative complications (odd ratio [OR]=1.10; 95% CI, 0.17, 7.32), postoperative complications (OR=0.78; 95% CI, 0.33, 1.86), relapse rate (OR=1.45; 95% CI, 0.56, 3.74), and survival rate (OR=0.75; 95% CI, 0.52, 1.08) between LRH group and ARH group (all P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LRH has more advantages over ARH in the treatment of cervical cancer. Still, the long-term effects and safety of LRH and ARH need more high-quality, large-sample RCTs to be further verified.

Survival Analysis in Endometrial Carcinomas by Type of Surgical Approach: A Matched-Pair Study

Simple Summary

We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 1382 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC). A total of 684 (49.5%) were operated on by minimally invasive surgery (MIS), 233 (34%) by robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RAL), 451 (66%) by conventional laparoscopy (LPS), and 698 (50.5%) by open surgery (OP). Disease-free (DFS), overall (OS), and specific survival related to EC (SS) outcomes were significantly higher for MIS compared to OP. When matched by age, BMI, co-morbidities, ASA score, histological type, grade, myometrial invasion, and FIGO stage, the DFS, OS, and SS amounts were similar between the MIS and OP groups. The surgical approach for women with EC does not impact disease-free or overall survival amounts when matched by homogeneous groups, but laparoscopy seems to offer a higher specific overall survival rate compared to the open surgery approach.

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aimed to analyze the impact of surgical approach on survival rates in women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. (2) Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort of 1382 women diagnosed with EC was performed. A total of 684 (49.5%) women underwent minimally invasive surgery, 233 (34%) underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RAL), 451 (66%) underwent conventional laparoscopy (LPS), and 698 (50.5%) underwent open surgery (OP). Sociodemographic features, tumor characteristics, and survival rates were analyzed in the whole sample and in a matched-pair model. (3) Results: Women operated on by OP were significantly older, presented more comorbidities, and had more aggressive tumors. Disease-free (DFS), overall (OS), and specific survival related to EC (SS) amounts were significantly higher for MIS compared to OP (p < 0.001). When matched by age, body mass index, comorbidities, ASA score, histological type, grade, myometrial invasion, and FIGO stage, 798 patients were selected. DFS, OS, and SS amounts were similar between the MIS and OP groups. (4) Conclusions: The surgical approach for women with EC does not impact DFS or OS amounts when matched by homogeneous groups.

A prospective observational study assessing the feasibility and factors affecting same-day discharge in patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery for gynecological cancers

Although robotic-assisted surgery is being increasingly used in the management of gynecologic cancers, most surgeons discharge patients on the next day of surgery citing concerns about immediate post-operative complications. Present study was conducted to evaluate the safety, factors influencing and quality of life for gynaecological cancer patients undergoing same-day discharge after robotic-assisted surgery. This is single institutional prospective observational study as pragmatic cohort including all well-selected gynecological cancer patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery from September 2017 to June 2019. Patients were divided into two study groups [Same-day discharge (SDD) group vs. Next-day discharge (NDD) group] according to day of discharge. The entire cohort included 152 patients (38 in SDD group and 114 in NDD group). The difference between both SDD vs. NDD was significant for parameters including Age ≥ 70 years (0% vs. 18.4%, p: 0.010); Operative time > 60 min (39.5% vs. 60.5%, p: 0.024); patients with third-party insurance covering surgery (2.6% vs. 25.4%, p: 0.005) and place of residence ≥ 60 km from hospital (13.1% vs. 51.8%, p: < 0.0001). The quality of life was similar in both groups and none of the patients required readmission or emergency room visits. Same-day discharge after robot-assisted surgery in gynecologic cancer patients is a safe and feasible option. Younger patients, short surgical time, surgery early in the day, no claim for third-party insurance, residing nearby hospital within 60 km radius were influencing factors favouring same-day discharge.

Oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery for women with apparent early-stage uterine serous carcinoma: A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the long-term survival outcomes of patients with apparent early-stage uterine serous carcinoma (USC) who underwent laparoscopic staging surgery with those who underwent open surgical staging.

METHODS

A total of 295 patients from four Chinese teaching hospitals were included. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test among patients after laparoscopic surgery or open surgery. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to adjust for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

For patients with apparent early-stage USC, laparoscopic surgery was associated with deteriorated DFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.93, P = 0.012), and there was no significant difference in OS between the two groups (HR 1.74, 95% CI 0.99-3.08, P = 0.056). However, after adjusting for confounding factors, the surgical approach was not an independent prognostic factor for DFS (adjusted HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.63-2.12, P = 0.636) and OS (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.52-2.38, P = 0.794) in apparent early-stage USC.

CONCLUSION

For apparent early-stage USC, laparoscopic surgery is safe. This needs to be confirmed by future prospective clinical trials.

A propensity score-matched case-control study of laparoscopy and laparotomy for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

A surgery is essential for the management of early endometrial carcinoma. Due to the comorbidities associated with the disease, the complications of surgery are common. Laparoscopic surgery may reduce surgical complications but also have oncological risks. We aimed to compare recurrence and overall survival (OS) associated with laparoscopy and laparotomy for early endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We included women treated for presumed early endometrial carcinoma at the Clinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School from January 1998 to December 2017. We designed a 1:2 propensity score-matched case-control and compared the patients' characteristics, short-term outcomes, recurrence, and OS.

RESULTS

A total of 252 women were included in this study, 168 underwent laparotomy, and 84 underwent laparoscopy. The two groups were well balanced according to most of the variables, and obesity was a characteristic of patients in both groups. Laparoscopy was associated with increased surgical time (194.7 min vesus 165.6 min; p<0.001) and reduced rate of surgical complications (6.5% versus 0; p=0.038). Laparoscopic surgery was not associated with the risk of tumor recurrence (HR: 0.41, 95%CI 0.14-1.19, p=0.100) or all-cause mortality (HR: 0.49, 95%CI 0.18-1.35, p=0.170).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy was safe in terms of oncological outcomes and was associated with a lower rate of surgical complications. Our data support the use of minimally invasive surgery as the preferential approach in the management of early endometrial carcinoma.

Research Article Quality of life after laparoscopic hysterectomy versus abdominal hysterectomy

Background

Laparoscopic surgery has been described as a minimally invasive surgery. The purpose of this study is to clarify its minimal invasive features using a patient questionnaire on the postoperative quality of life (QOL) over various time periods following either laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) or abdominal hysterectomy (AH) and to compare the results.

Methods

This study enrolled 28 patients who underwent total hysterectomy for uterine fibroids in 2012 (14 AH cases and 24 LH cases) were enrolled in this study. The 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was completed on postsurgical day 3; weeks 1, 2, and 4; and month 6. The results were compared between the two groups.

Results

Patients who underwent LH scored significantly higher on physical functioning on postoperative day 3 and week 2; physical role and bodily pain on day 3 and week 1; general health on postoperative day 3, weeks 1, 2, and 4, and month 6; social functioning on day 3; and emotional role on day 3 and week 1. No significant differences were found between vitality and mental health at any time point or in the categories above at any other time point.

Conclusions

Postoperative QOL in LH cases was improved on day 3 and week 1; however, no significant differences between the LH and AH groups were found in most categories at week 4 and month 6. LH leads to superior short-term QOL early in the postoperative period relative to AH.

Risk Factors for Surgical Treatment of Endometrial Cancer Using Traditional and Laparoscopic Methods

Surgical treatment is the most important part of therapy for endometrial cancer. The aim of the study was to define factors having the most significant impact on surgical treatment of endometrial cancer when using traditional and laparoscopic methods. In the study, we evaluated 75 females who were treated for endometrial cancer via laparoscopic surgery in 2019 and used a historical control of 70 patients treated by laparotomy in 2011. The evaluated risk factors included the method of surgery, type of lymphadenectomy, patient's age, various obesity parameters, histological grading, cancer clinical staging, pelvic dimensions, previous abdominal surgeries, comorbidities, and number of deliveries. The duration of hospitalization, operation time, loss of hemoglobin, and procedure-related complications were used as parameters of perioperative outcomes. Multivariable linear regression analysis confirmed the following factors as being predictors of worse perioperative outcomes: laparotomy, abdominal obesity (waist circumstance and waist-to-hip ratio), range of lymphadenectomy, prior abdominal surgeries, and larger pelvic dimensions. Abdominal obesity is a significant risk factor in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Laparotomy continues to be utilized frequently in the management of endometrial cancer in Poland as well as elsewhere, and adopting a minimally invasive approach is likely to be beneficial for patient outcome.

Prognostic significance of peritoneal cytology in low-risk endometrial cancer: comparison of laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy

Background

There is uncertainty surrounding the prognostic value of peritoneal cytology in low-risk endometrial cancer, especially in laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this retrospective study is to determine the prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology among patients with low-risk endometrial cancer and to compare it between laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparotomy.

Methods

From August 2008 to December 2019, all cases of pathologically confirmed stage IA grade 1 or 2 endometrial cancer were reviewed at Osaka Medical College. Statistical analyses used the Chi-square test and the Kaplan–Meier log rank.

Results

A total of 478 patients were identified: 438 with negative peritoneal cytology (232 who underwent laparotomy and 206 who undertook laparoscopic surgery) and 40 with positive peritoneal cytology (20 who underwent laparotomy and 20 who received laparoscopic surgery). Survival was significantly worse among patients with positive peritoneal cytology compared to patients with negative peritoneal cytology. However, there was no significant difference among patients with negative or positive peritoneal cytology between laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy.

Conclusion

This retrospective study suggests that, while peritoneal cytology is an independent risk factor in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer, laparoscopic surgery does not influence the survival outcome when compared to laparotomy.

Long-term quality of life outcomes of women treated for early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare long-term quality of life in women treated for early-stage endometrial cancer with population norms, and to compare quality of life outcomes of patients who had total laparoscopic or total abdominal hysterectomy.

METHODS

Once the last enrolled patient had completed 4.5 years of follow-up after surgery, participants in the Laparoscopic Approach to Cancer of the Endometrium (LACE) clinical trial were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Two instruments-EuroQol 5 Dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General Population (FACT-GP)-were used to determine quality of life. The mean computed EQ-5D-3L index scores for LACE participants at different age categories were compared with Australian normative scores; and the FACT-GP scores were compared between patients treated with surgical treatments.

RESULTS

Of 760 women originally enrolled in the LACE trial, 259 (50.2%) of 516 women consented to provide long-term follow-up data at a median of 9 years (range 6-12) after surgery. On the EQ-5D-3L, long-term endometrial cancer survivors reported higher prevalence of anxiety/depression than normative levels across all age groups (55-64 years, 30% vs 14.9%; 65-74 years, 30.1% vs 15.8%; ≥75 years, 25.9% vs 10.7%). For women ≥75 years of age, the prevalence of impairment in mobility (57.6% vs 43.3%) and usual activities (58.8% vs 37.9%) was also higher than for population norms. For the FACT-GP, the physical (effect size: -0.28, p<0.028) and functional (effect size: -0.30, p<0.015) well-being sub-scale favored the total laparoscopic hysterectomy compared with total abdominal hysterectomy recipients.

CONCLUSION

Compared with population-based norms, long-term endometrial cancer survivors reported higher prevalence of anxiety/depression across all age groups, and deficits in mobility and usual activities for women aged ≥75 years. Physical and functional well-being were better among women who were treated with total laparoscopic hysterectomy than among those receiving total abdominal hysterectomy.

Effect of surgical approach on risk of recurrence after vaginal brachytherapy in early-stage high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to determine if surgical approach affects time to recurrence in early-stage high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer (HIR-EC) treated with adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy (VBT).

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, HIR-EC patients treated with VBT between 2005 and 2017 were identified and those who received open or minimally invasive hysterectomies (MIS) were included. Clinical and surgical variables were analyzed and time to recurrence was compared between surgical groups.

RESULTS

We identified 494 patients, of which 363 had MIS hysterectomies, 92.5% had endometrioid histology, 45.7% were stage IA and 48.0% stage IB. Open hysterectomy patients had higher BMIs (p = 0.007), lower rates of lymph node sampling (p < 0.001) and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (p = 0.036), however in patients who recurred, no differences were noted between groups. Overall, 65 patients (13.2%) recurred, 14 in the open group (10.7%) and 51 in the MIS group (14.0%) (p = 0.58), while vaginal recurrences were noted in 4.6% and 6.1% respectively. When compared to the open group, the MIS group had a significantly shorter time to any recurrence (p = 0.022), to pelvic (p = 0.05) and locoregional recurrence (p = 0.021) and to death from any cause (p = 0.039). After adjusting for age, BMI, grade, LVSI and surgery date, the MIS group had a higher risk of any recurrence (HR 2.29 (1.07-4.92), p = 0.034) and locoregional recurrence (HR 4.18 (1.44-12.1), p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HIR-EC treated with VBT after MIS hysterectomy have a shorter time to recurrence and higher risk of recurrence when compared to open hysterectomy patients. Further studies into the safety of MIS in high-intermediate risk patients are required.

Patient-Reported Experiences After Hysterectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Views of Over 2300 Women

Objective:

To evaluate women’s experiences after hysterectomy and predictors of their contentment and regret with the surgical approaches.

Methods:

Cross-sectional, Patient-Reported Experience Measures survey in 2319 Australian women aged 21 to 90 years (median age of 52 years) who had received hysterectomy in the preceding 2 years.

Results:

Overall, the vast majority of women (>96%) did not regret having had the hysterectomy. Women who received an open abdominal hysterectomy reported slower recovery with about 7% of women still not fully recovered after 12 months compared to those whose surgery was through a less invasive approach. Women who reported no adverse events, having been given a choice of type of hysterectomy, women who received an alternative to open abdominal hysterectomy, and women who felt prepared for discharge from hospital were significantly more likely to be content with their hysterectomy and report positive patient experiences.

Conclusions:

Compared with those who received a less invasive approach to hysterectomy, women who received open surgery were more likely to express negative experiences relating to their hospital stay and recovery from surgery. The results inform future improvements of care for women planning a hysterectomy.

Functional recovery in older women undergoing surgery for gynaecological malignancies: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

OBJECTIVES

Older women are increasingly undergoing surgery for gynaecological malignancies. Although survival data is available other outcomes such as functional recovery are less well described. This systematic review and narrative synthesis describes functional recovery after gynaeoncology surgery with respect to baseline characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and Cochrane Library between 1974 to 2018. Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts/papers for inclusion against the following criteria: Results analysed and presented using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies identified (8 Endometrial, 2 Ovarian, 2 Vulval, 3 mixed cancer types). 1/15 used a standalone functional assessment tool, 14/15 used Health-Related Quality of Life tools (EORTC QLQ C30 (8), FACT-G (3), SF-36 (3)) comprising items describing function. More studies showed full recovery to baseline (n = 13) than incomplete recovery (n = 2). Four studies reported a negative association between older age and functional trajectory. Recovery was more likely and occurred faster in minimally-invasive surgery. Few studies reported baseline characteristics including cognition, frailty or comorbidities and none examined associations with functional recovery.

CONCLUSION

There is inadequate data on functional recovery of older women following gynaeoncology surgery. Future studies are needed to identify factors associated with poorer/better outcomes. This may enable identification of opportunities for risk reduction, improve equity of access and better shared-decision making.

Comparison of Laparoscopy and Laparotomy in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: Early Experiences from a Developing Country

After minimally invasive surgery gained popularity in gynecology, laparoscopic operations became widespread among oncologic operations. However, more studies evaluating experiences of oncologic surgeons during the learning period of laparoscopy are needed. To compare the surgical outcomes and perioperative complications of laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy in the treatment of early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer patients, we retrospectively investigated patients who underwent surgery due to endometrial cancer at our institution between 2014 and 2018. Early-stage (stage I) endometrioid endometrial cancer patients were included in the study. Operative times, length of hospital stay, extracted pelvic lymph nodes, perioperative complications, and blood loss were compared. A total of 128 patients were treated for stage I endometrial cancer during the study period. Sixty-two patients (48.4%) underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 66 (51.6%) patients underwent laparotomy. Median operation time and pelvic lymph node count in the laparotomy and laparoscopy groups did not demonstrate statistically significant differences. However, the length of hospital stay, estimated blood loss, and perioperative complication rate were lower in the laparoscopic surgery group. Laparoscopic surgery in early-stage endometrial cancer may be performed with less blood loss, shorter duration of hospital stays, and similar lymph node counts compared to laparotomic surgery.

Disease-Free and Survival Outcomes for Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Compared With Total Abdominal Hysterectomy in Early-Stage Endometrial Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Laparoscopic hysterectomy is currently offered to a large number of patients, and assessing the noninferiority to abdominal hysterectomy with respect to clinical outcomes is key. We examine rates of recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival, and surgical complications of laparoscopic compared with abdominal hysterectomy for the treatment of early-stage endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies, and patient characteristics and clinical outcomes extracted. The primary outcome was 3-year DFS, and estimates were pooled using an inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Nine studies (4405 patients) were identified in which DFS was reported in 5 studies. The difference in 3-year DFS was 1.44% (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.65% to 3.53%) in favor of total abdominal hysterectomy, consistent with a noninferiority margin of 5%. Differences in DFS (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.92-1.32), overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.81-1.66), and local recurrence (difference, 0.42%; 95% CI, -0.41% to 1.25%) were not significant. Rates of intraoperative complications showed no difference (0.5%; 95% CI, -1.1% to 2.0%) based on 7 studies. There was a significant reduction in postoperative complications with the laparoscopic procedure (-6.83%; 95% CI, -9.19% to -4.47%).

CONCLUSIONS

Noninferiority of laparoscopy was demonstrated on clinical outcomes and was associated with a reduction in postoperative complications. These results support continued treatment by laparoscopic hysterectomy for early-stage endometrial cancer.

Long-term quality of life after comprehensive surgical staging of high-risk endometrial cancer - results from the RASHEC trial

PURPOSE

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes after comprehensive surgical staging including infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy in women with high-risk endometrial cancer (EC) are unknown. Our aim was to investigate the long-term HRQoL between robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) and laparotomy (LT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 120 women with high-risk stage I-II EC were randomised to RALS or LT for hysterectomy, bilateral salpingoophorectomy, pelvic and infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy in the previously reported Robot-Assisted Surgery for High-Risk Endometrial Cancer trial. The HRQoL was measured with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-30) and its supplementary questionnaire module for endometrial cancer (QLQ-EN24) questionnaire. Women were assessed before and 12 months after surgery. In addition, the EuroQol Eq5D non-disease specific questionnaire was used for descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the functional scales (including global health status) in the intention to treat analysis, though LT conferred a small clinically important difference (CID) over RALS in 'cognitive functioning' albeit not statistically significant -6 (95% CI-14 to 0, p = .06). LT conferred a significantly better outcome for the 'nausea and vomiting' item though it did not reach a CID, 4 (95% CI 1 to 7, p = .01). In the EORTC-QLQ/QLQ-EN24, no significant differences were observed. Eq5D-3L questionnaire demonstrated a higher proportion of women reporting any extent of mobility impairment 12 months after surgery in the LT arm (p = .03).

CONCLUSION

Overall, laparotomy and robot-assisted surgery conferred similar HRQoL 12 months after comprehensive staging for high-risk EC.

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of early stage endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a previous Cochrane Review published in 2012, Issue 9.Surgery for endometrial cancer (hysterectomy with removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries) is performed through laparotomy. It has been suggested that the laparoscopic approach is associated with a reduction in operative morbidity. Over the last two decades there has been a steady increase of the use of laparoscopy for endometrial cancer. This review investigated the evidence of benefits and harms of laparoscopic surgery compared with laparotomy for presumed early stage endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To compare overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) for laparoscopic surgery versus laparotomy in women with presumed early stage endometrial cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 5) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via Ovid (April 2012 to June 2018) and Embase via Ovid (April 2012 to June 2018). We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists of included studies. The trial registers included NHMRC Clinical Trials Register, UKCCCR Register of Cancer Trials, Meta-Register and Physician Data Query Protocol.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing laparoscopy and laparotomy for early stage endometrial cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. We used hazard ratios (HRs) for OS and recurrence free survival (RFS), risk ratios (RR) for severe adverse events and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes in women who received laparoscopy or laparotomy with 9% confidence intervals (CI). These were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified one new study in this update of the review. The review contains nine RCTs comparing laparoscopy with laparotomy for the surgical management of early stage endometrial cancer.All nine studies met the inclusion criteria and assessed 4389 women at the end of the studies. Six studies assessing 3993 participants with early stage endometrial cancer found no significant difference in the risk of death between women who underwent laparoscopy and women who underwent laparotomy (HR 1.04, 95% 0.86 to 1.25; moderate-certainty evidence) and five studies assessing 3710 participants found no significant difference in the risk of recurrence between the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.43; moderate-certainty evidence). There was no significant difference in the rate of perioperative death; women requiring a blood transfusion; and bladder, ureteric, bowel and vascular injury. However, one meta-analysis of three studies found that women in the laparoscopy group lost significantly less blood than women in the laparotomy group (MD -106.82 mL, 95% CI -141.59 to -72.06; low-certainty evidence). A further meta-analysis of two studies, which assessed 3344 women and included one very large trial of over 2500 participants, found that there was no clinical difference in the risk of severe postoperative complications in women in the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.38). Most studies were at moderate risk of bias. All nine studies reported hospital stay and results showed that on average, laparoscopy was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review found low to moderate-certainty evidence to support the role of laparoscopy for the management of early endometrial cancer. For presumed early stage primary endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, laparoscopy is associated with similar OS and DFS. Furthermore, laparoscopy is associated with reduced operative morbidity and hospital stay. There is no significant difference in severe postoperative morbidity between the two modalities.The certainty of evidence for OS and RFS was moderate and was downgraded for unclear risk of bias profiles and imprecision in effect estimates. However, most studies used adequate methods of sequence generation and concealment of allocation so studies were not prone to selection bias. Adverse event outcomes were downgraded for the same reasons and additionally for low event rates and low power thus these outcomes provided low-certainty evidence.

Endoscopy-assisted inguinal lymphadenectomy in vulvar cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility and efficiency of video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) for vulvar cancer.

METHODS

We evaluated 46 patients with vulvar cancer. Treatment included VEIL using the hypogastric subcutaneous approach (VEIL-H, 17 patients), VEIL with the limb subcutaneous surgical approach (VEIL-L, 8 patients), and open inguinal lymphadenectomy (OIL, 21 patients). All patients underwent radical vulvectomy; we evaluated operative time, the amount of bleeding, SF score, recurrence rate, etc. RESULTS: The durations of VEIL-H and VEIL-L were 170.79 ± 18.92 and 180.12 ± 17.88 min, respectively, which were longer than that of OIL (100.68 ± 11.37 min; P = 0.028). Bleeding volumes in the VEIL-H and VEIL-L groups were 15.23 ± 2.17 and 17.16 ± 2.35 ml, respectively; there were significantly lower than that of the OIL group (36.68 ± 3.48 ml; P = 0.021). The numbers of unilateral lymph nodes harvested were similar in all groups. The duration of hospitalization in VEIL group was shorter than that of the OIL group. There were less skin and lymphatic complications after VEIL than after OIL. Total SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the VEIL group than that in the OIL group (P = 0.032). There were no statistically significant differences in local recurrence, distant metastasis, and mortality among the three groups.

CONCLUSION

VEIL for vulvar cancer treatment is effective, with the advantages of short hospitalization stay, less bleeding, and reduced postoperative complications comparing the OIL.

Minimally Invasive Surgery to Treat Gynecological Cancer: Conventional Laparoscopy and/or Robot-Assisted Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery is a technological advancement derived from conventional laparoscopy, which facilitates the application of minimally invasive techniques for complex operations in the field of gynecological oncology. However, its introduction in gynecological cancer has been scarce in most hospitals worldwide. Most publications on robotic surgery are still retrospective or descriptive in nature. Some studies compare robotic-assisted laparoscopy with open procedures, which is a questionable analysis, because the advantages of minimally invasive surgery have been already well established. Robotic surgery should be directly compared with conventional laparoscopy to determine whether its additional direct and indirect costs are in accordance with some improvements within patient clinical outcomes. On the other hand, the role of robotic-assisted surgery in allowing more patients to receive the benefits of the minimally invasive approach should also be considered. The objective of this article was, therefore, to review the literature regarding the role of conventional and robotic-assisted laparoscopy to treat women with gynecologic cancer.

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy with Pelvic/Aortic Lymph Node Dissection for Endometrial Cancer Using Passive Instrument Positioners: A Retrospective Case-Control Series

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of the use of passive instrument positioners (PIPs) on laparoscopic operative outcomes for endometrial cancer relative to other independent variables.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-controlled study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

Laparoscopies performed by the author in multiple community hospitals.

PATIENTS

A total of 297 consecutive patients between December 2009 and October 2016 with clinically isolated endometrial cancer or retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy on imaging studies.

INTERVENTIONS

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic/aortic lymph node dissection using passive instrument positioners to secure the laparoscope (PIP group) and using instruments providing exposure and historical control by hand control of all instruments (HC group).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The overall group mean age was 63.2 years (range, 32.4-90.9 years), and patient characteristics were equivalent in the 2 groups. In the PIP group, 1 procedure was converted to a laparotomy (0.5%), and in the HC group, 6 procedures were converted (5.4%; p = .008). The mean operative time was 140.1 minutes for the PIP group and 153.8 minutes for the HC group (p < .001). The mean length of hospital stay was 44.8 hours for the PIP group and 58.6 hours for the HC group (p < .001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that study group (PIP vs HC; p = .014) and the presence vs absence of metastatic disease (p = .001) influenced conversion; study group (PIP vs HC; p < .001), body mass index (p < .001), past surgical history (p = .010), and assistant training (p = .011) influenced operative time; and study group (PIP vs HC; p < .001), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p < .001), and operative time (p = .051) influenced hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

For clinically localized endometrial cancer managed laparoscopically, the use of PIPs reduces conversions, operative time, and hospital stay.

Robot-assisted Surgery in Gynecologic Cancers

Robotic-assisted surgery is a technological advancement that facilitates the application of minimally invasive techniques for complex operations in gynecologic oncology. The objective of this article was to review the literature regarding the role of robotic-assisted surgery to treat women with gynecologic cancers. The majority of publications on robotic surgery are still retrospective or descriptive in nature; however, the data for managing patients with a robotic-assisted approach show comparable, and at times improved, outcomes compared with both laparoscopy (2-dimensional) and laparotomy approaches. Robotic-assisted surgery has been used for patients with endometrial cancer and resulted in the increased use of minimally invasive surgery with improved outcomes compared with laparotomy and partially with laparoscopy. This has been shown in large cohorts of patients as well as in obese patients in whom the complication rates have significantly decreased. For early cervical cancer, robotic radical hysterectomy seems to be safe and feasible and to be preferable to laparotomy with seemingly comparable oncologic outcomes. Robotic-assisted surgery and conventional laparoscopy to stage women with early-stage ovarian cancer seem to have similar surgical and oncologic outcomes, with a shorter learning curve for robotic-assisted surgery. However, robotic-assisted surgery appears to be more expensive than laparotomy and traditional laparoscopy. In conclusion, robotic-assisted surgery appears to facilitate the surgical approach for complex operations to treat women with gynecologic cancers. Although randomized controlled trials are lacking to further elucidate the equivalence of robot-assisted surgery with conventional methods in terms of oncologic outcome and patients' quality of life, the technology appears to be safe and effective and could offer a minimally invasive approach to a much larger group of patients.

Does the Type of Surgical Approach and the Use of Uterine Manipulators Influence the Disease-Free Survival and Recurrence Rates in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term safety, disease-free survival, and recurrence rate of total laparoscopic hysterectomy using uterine manipulator and abdominal hysterectomy in the surgical treatment in early-stage endometrial cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cohort study of 147 patients with clinical endometrial cancer (laparoscopic surgery group, 77 women; laparotomy group, 70 women). Data were evaluated and analyzed by intention-to-treat principle, and survival data of stage I endometrial cancer (129 patients; 66 from laparoscopic surgery group and 60 from laparotomy group) were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

After a follow-up period of 60 months for both laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy groups, no significant difference in the cumulative recurrence rates (7.4% and 13.1%, P = 0.091) and overall survival (97.1% and 95.1%, P = 0.592) was detected between both groups of stage I endometrial cancer. Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 10.4% (8/77) of the laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with less use of pain medication (P = 0.001) and a shorter hospital stay (P < 0.001), but the procedure took longer than laparotomic hysterectomy (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with intraoperative and long-term complications was not significantly different between both groups. The use of uterine manipulators did not have increased recurrence rate in patients treated with laparoscopic approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The laparoscopic surgery approach to early-stage endometrial cancer using uterine manipulators is as safe and effective as the laparotomic approach.

Computed Tomography Morphometrics and Pulmonary Intolerance in Endometrial Cancer Robotic Surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To identify morphometric characteristics of obese patients that best predict pulmonary intolerance to robotic pelvic surgery using a novel method for quantifying adipose distribution.

DESIGN

Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty-nine patients with endometrial cancer who underwent robotic hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy between April 2008 and May 2014 and also underwent perioperative computed tomography (CT) imaging within 1 year.

INTERVENTION

Visceral fat volume (VFV) and subcutaneous fat volume (SFV) were quantified through waist circumference measurements along with average volume estimation of slices taken at 3 levels: mid-waist, L2-L3, and L4-L5. Mean and maximum values were obtained for intraoperative physiological data.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The patients' mean body mass index (BMI) was 34 (range, 20-59). Along with waist circumference, VFV and SFV quantified by CT at the mid-waist, L2-L3, and L4-L5 levels were all significant independent predictors for peak airway pressure (PAP; average and maximum) and plateau airway pressure (Pplat; average and maximum) on multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for age, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary disease, smoking, obstructive sleep apnea, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and duration of anesthesia. Compared with the other CT parameters, L2-L3 VFV was the best predictor of average PAP (β = 0.398; p = .002), maximum PAP (β = 0.493; p < .001), average Pplat (β = 0.536; p < .001), and maximum Pplat (β = 0.573; p < .001).

CONCLUSION

These novel CT morphometric measurements represent valid predictors of pulmonary intolerance to robotic surgery in obese patients. Of the measures analyzed, VFV at L2-L3 best predicts pulmonary tolerance in obese patients.

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for obese Korean women with endometrial cancer: long-term results at a single institution

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical feasibility of and survival outcome after laparoscopy in obese Korean women with endometrial cancer which has recently been increasing. We reviewed the medical records of the patients treated at our medical institution between 1999 and 2012. The patients were divided into three groups, non-obese (Body Mass Index [BMI]<25.0), overweight (BMI 25-27.99), and obese (BMI≥28.0). These patient groups were compared in terms of their clinical characteristics, treatment methods, as well as surgical and survival outcomes. In total, 55 of the 278 eligible patients were obese women. There were no differences in the three groups in terms of the proportion of patients who underwent lymphadenectomy, their cancer stage, histologic type, type of adjuvant treatment administered, intra-, post-operative, and long-term complications, operative time, number of removed lymph nodes, blood loss, and duration of hospitalization (P=0.067, 0.435, 0.757, 0.739, 0.458, 0.173, 0.076, 0.124, 0.770, 0.739, and 0.831, respectively). The Disease-Free Survival (DFS) times were 139.1 vs. 121.6 vs. 135.5 months (P=0.313), and the Overall Survival (OS) times were 145.2 vs. 124.8 vs. 139.5 months (P=0.436) for each group, respectively. Obese women with endometrial cancer can, therefore, be as safely managed using laparoscopy as women with normal BMIs.

Prospective quality of life outcomes following robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology

PURPOSE

To characterize the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients undergoing robotic surgery for the treatment of gynecologic cancers.

METHODS

211 patients completed a quality of life questionnaire before surgery. Postoperative questionnaires, consisting of the same assessment with the addition of postoperative questions, were given at 1 week, 3 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and its subscales were used to evaluate HRQL. Patient-rated body image was evaluated using the Body Image Scale. Statistical significance was measured by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Minimally important difference (MID) values were analyzed to evaluate clinical significance.

RESULTS

Overall HRQL and body image decreased at 1 week after surgery and returned to baseline by 3 weeks. Physical and functional well-being decreased at 1 week after surgery and returned to baseline by 3 months after surgery. However, using MID criteria, physical well-being returned to baseline by 3 weeks. Social well-being did not change significantly. Emotional well-being increased immediately by 1 week after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Patient reported HRQL outcomes following robotic surgery for the treatment of gynecologic cancers suggests a rapid return to pre-surgery values.

Use of Laparoscopy in the Treatment of Endometrial and Cervical Cancer - Results of a 2012 Germany-wide Survey

Introduction: Endoscopy has begun to play an increasingly important role in the surgical therapy of uterine cancers. To date, there is no data on the use of laparoscopy to treat endometrial cancer (EC) and cervical cancer (CC). Method: A Germany-wide, anonymised survey was done of all gynaecological clinics/endoscopy clinics, using a standardised questionnaire. Results: A total of 128 clinics responded: 16 university clinics (12.5 %), 30 hospitals offering maximum care (23.4 %), 66 general hospitals (51.5 %), 5 outpatient clinics (3,9 %), 4 physicians in private practice affiliated to hospitals (3.1 %) and 7 hospitals (5.4 %) which did not indicate status. Laparoscopy was used in the treatment of 82 % of all EC and 54 % of CC. Surgery for EC was done completely laparoscopically in 58 % of cases and with laparoscopic assistance using a vaginal approach in 32 % of cases. If lymphadenectomy (LNE) was additionally performed, this was done abdominally in 42 % of cases and laparoscopically in 53 %. Cervical cancer was treated by laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (HE) in 44 % of cases and by radical HE using a vaginal approach in 14 %. 4 % of hospitals reported the use of other endoscopic methods (e.g. DaVinci). While the majority of hospitals (43.3 %) treated more than 75 % of EC patients using laparoscopy, in many clinics (38.3 %) less than 25 % of CC patients were treated using endoscopy. Discussion: Laparoscopy is used more often in EC surgery as compared to surgery for CC. However, there are still major differences between hospitals with regard to case numbers, the number of uterine cancers treated using endoscopic surgery, and the type of endoscopic surgery.

Overweight, obesity and endometrial cancer risk: results from a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Findings from recent studies suggest that obesity may be associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer, but several earlier studies were less conclusive. Here we strive to estimate this relationship in a meta-analysis of published data.

METHODS

We searched Pubmed and Embase for studies on body mass index and the risk of endometrial cancer, published from 1989 to 2011. Data were independently extracted and analyzed using random or fixed effects meta-analysis depending on the degree of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Seven cohort studies and 11 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the conditions of excess body weight ([EBW] defined as body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m²), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and overweight (25< BMI <30 kg/m²) were associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer (relative risk [RR] for EBW=1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-1.89; for obesity RR=2.54, 95% CI, 2.11-3.06; for overweight RR=1.32, 95% CI, 1.16-1.50). Subgroup analyses showed that the positive associations were independent of study design, geographic locations, self-reported BMI, alcohol use, smoking habit, history of diabetes, hormone therapy, age at menarche, age at menopause, parity, and age at first full term pregnancy. However, there was no statistically significant association between EBW and endometrial cancer risk for measured BMI (for EBW RR=1.29, 95% CI, 0.66-2.53).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this meta-analysis strongly support that the conditions of EBW, overweight, and obesity are all associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Also, the strength of the association increases with increasing BMI.

Understanding the impact of the treatment pathway upon the health-related quality of life of women with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer - a qualitative study

PURPOSE

(1) To determine the impact of treatment and recovery on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of endometrial cancer (EC) patients. (2) To explore how treatment types and delivery affect HRQoL and invite suggestions for improvement.

METHODS

Qualitative study. In-depth, semi-structured interviews at 3, 6, 9 or 12 months post-treatment were carried out with 22 women with stage IA to IVB EC who had undergone treatment at a tertiary referral centre for gynaecological cancers in Sheffield, UK. 21 were treated surgically and 4 received adjuvant treatment. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

RESULTS

Four dominant themes emerged regarding the treatment pathway: pre-treatment concerns, experience during treatment, post-treatment and survivorship issues. Expectations and understandings of EC and its treatment were often inaccurate. Proper explanations eased anxiety but were uncommon. Laparoscopic surgery was welcomed where offered but did not necessarily influence coping ability. Instead, women evaluated treatment impacts against their expectations. Treatments affected women's physical abilities, self-perception and relationships resulting in re-evaluation of lifestyle.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of treatment upon HRQoL for women with EC differs from other gynaecological cancers. Better information provision would enhance coping ability. Coping methods and expectations appear to influence HRQoL more than treatment modality.

Laparoscopic treatment of endometrial cancer: systematic review

The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for treatment of endometrial cancer. Trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Gynecological Cancer Collaborative Review Group Trial Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, BIOSIS Previews, the China Biological Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Whole Article Database, Wan Fang Data, and VIP Information, from January 1991 to May 2012, as well as the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library, issue 5, 2012). We also hand searched unpublished and gray literature, reference lists of identified studies, gynecologic cancer handbooks, and conference abstracts. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing laparoscopic surgery with laparotomy for treatment of all stages of endometrial cancer were selected. Data extraction was performed independently by 2 review authors who assessed study quality and extracted data. The whole articles were assessed for method quality by using the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group method quality criteria. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistic, which estimates the percentage of heterogeneity between trials. The outcomes were pooled statistically when no clinical heterogeneity was apparent. For time to event data, hazard ratios were pooled using the generic inverse variance facility of RevMan 5. Random effects models were used for all meta-analyses. The search yielded 9 eligible RCTs (1361 laparotomy and 2255 laparoscopy). There was no significant difference between laparoscopic and laparotomic approaches to endometrial cancer in 3-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 1.71; p = .77), 3-year disease-free survival (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.80; p = .89), recurrence at 3-year follow-up (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.60 to 2.06; p = .74), and pelvic node yield (mean difference [MD, 0.45; 95% CI, -0.41 to 1.32; p = .30). The benefits of laparoscopic surgery vs laparotomy were shorter length of hospital stay (MD, -3.42; 95% CI, -3.81 to -3.03; p < .01), and lower rates of postoperative complications (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.73; p < .01). Disadvantages were higher rates of intraoperative complications (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05 to1.74; p = .02) and longer duration of surgical procedures (MD, 32.73; 95% CI, 16.34 to 49.13; p < .01). We conclude that, compared with laparotomy, laparoscopic surgery seems to be beneficial in women with endometrial cancer, in particular insofar as postoperative complications and length of hospital stay. However, more well-designed RCTs are needed to assess the long-term clinical outcomes, in particular the quality of life.

Early stage uterine serous carcinoma: management updates and genomic advances

OBJECTIVE

Even in cases of early stage disease, uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is associated with high recurrence rates and a disproportionate number of cancer-related deaths. Prospective data to guide therapy for women with this disease are limited. This article reviews the currently available literature regarding optimal management of women with early stage USC.

METHODS

MEDLINE was searched for all research articles published in the English language from January 1, 1996 through October 30, 2012 in which the studied population included women diagnosed with early stage USC. Although preference was given to prospective studies, studies were not limited by design or numbers of patients in light of the relative paucity of the available literature.

RESULTS

Early stage USC (Stages I-II) is associated with a risk of recurrence that ranges from 0 to 80%, and is related to the amount of residual uterine disease, cervical involvement and adjuvant therapy. Treatment with platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy may decrease the risk of recurrence and may improve survival outcomes; volume directed radiotherapy may also be of benefit. USC highly expresses HER2/neu, a promising and rational target for biologic therapy. Alterations in the PIK3CA/AKT/ mTOR pathway are also of relevance and offer other potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

USC is a unique and biologically aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer, and as such, should be studied as a distinct entity. Prospective trials incorporating traditional chemotherapeutics and radiation as well as targeted therapies are warranted to define the optimal management approach for women with this disease.

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of early stage endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, surgery for endometrial cancer (hysterectomy with removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries) is performed through laparotomy. It has been suggested that the laparoscopic approach is associated with a reduction in operative morbidity. Over the last 10 to 15 years there has been a steady increase of laparoscopy for endometrial cancer. This review investigates the evidence of benefits and harms of laparoscopic surgery compared with laparotomy for presumed early stage endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for laparoscopic surgery versus laparotomy in women with presumed early stage endometrial cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 3, 2012, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL up to April 2012. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, and reference lists of included studies. Trial registers we searched included NHMRC Clinical Trials Register, UKCCCR Register of Cancer Trials, Meta-Register and Physician Data Query Protocol, as well as abstracts of scientific meetings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing laparoscopy and laparotomy for early stage endometrial cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. Hazard ratios (HRs) were used for OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS), risk ratios (RR) for severe adverse events and the mean difference (MD) method was used for continuous outcomes in women who received laparoscopy or laparotomy and these were then pooled in random-effects meta-analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

Eight RCTs comparing laparoscopy with laparotomy for the surgical management of early stage endometrial cancer were identified.All eight trials met the inclusion criteria, 3644 women were assessed at the end of the trials. Three trials assessing 359 participants with early stage endometrial cancer, found no statistically significant difference in the risk of death and disease or recurrence between women who underwent laparoscopy and those who underwent laparotomy (HR = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62 to 2.10) and HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.42 for OS and RFS respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of peri-operative death, women requiring a blood transfusion, and bladder, ureteric, bowel and vascular injury. However, a meta-analysis of two trials found that women in the laparoscopy group lost significantly less blood than those in the laparotomy group (MD = -106.82 mL, 95% CI: -141.59 to -72.06). A further meta-analysis of two trials, which assessed 2923 women and included one very large trial of over 2500 participants, found that the rate of severe post-operative adverse events was significantly lower in the laparoscopy group compared with the laparotomy group (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.91). The large trial did not give a breakdown of these severe post-operative adverse events into different adverse event categories. Most trials were at moderate risk of bias. Hospital stay was reported in all of the trials and results show that on average, laparoscopy was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review has found evidence to support the role of laparoscopy for the management of early endometrial cancer.For presumed early stage primary endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, laparoscopy is associated with similar overall and disease-free survival. Laparoscopy is associated with reduced operative morbidity and hospital stay. There is no significant difference in severe post-operative morbidity between the two modalities.

Safety of laparoscopy vs laparotomy in the surgical staging of endometrial cancer: a systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials

The aim of the current study was to compare the safety of the laparoscopic vs abdominal approach to staging endometrial cancer. A search was conducted for randomized controlled trials that reported data from women with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer who underwent laparoscopic or abdominal surgery. An additional metaanalysis was performed. The primary endpoints were the rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. A total of 8 original randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. No significant difference was observed in the relative risk (RR) for intraoperative complications between laparoscopy and laparotomy (RR, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.56; P = .062). In contrast, a significant advantage of laparoscopy over laparotomy was obtained in terms of postoperative complications (RR, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.79; P = .016). In comparison with abdominal surgery, the safety of the laparoscopic approach for surgical staging of endometrial cancer is similar in terms of intraoperative complications but results in fewer postoperative complications.