Outcomes of stage II endometrial cancer: The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center experience

The Prognostic Significance of the Depth of Cervical Stromal Invasion in Women With FIGO Stage II Uterine Endometrioid Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of the depth of cervical stromal invasion (CSI) in women with FIGO stage II uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EC).

METHODS

Our database of women with EC was quired for patients with stage II EC. Pathologic slides were retrieved and reviewed by gynecologic pathologists to determine cervical stromal thickness and depth of CSI as a percentage of stromal thickness (%CSI). Kaplan-Meier, univariate, and multivariate analyses were used to compare recurrence-free, disease-specific (DSS), and overall survival (OS) between women who had<50% versus ≥50% CSI. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess other prognostic variables associated with survival endpoints.

RESULTS

A total of 117 patients were included in our study who had hysterectomy between 1/1990 and 8/2021. Seventy-nine patients (68%) with <50% and 38 (32w%) with ≥50% CSI. After a median follow-up of 131 months, 5-year DSS was significantly worse for women with ≥50% CSI (78% vs. 91%; P =0.04). However, %CSI was not an independent predictor for any of the studied survival endpoints. Independent predictors of worse 5-year recurrence-free survival and DSS included FIGO grade 3 tumors ( P =0.02) and the presence of lymphovascular space invasion ( P =0.03). Grade 3 tumors were the only independent predictor of worse 5-year OS ( P =0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that deep CSI is not an independent prognostic factor for survival endpoints in women with stage II uterine endometroid adenocarcinoma. The lack of independent prognostic significance of the depth CSI needs to be validated in a multi-institutional analysis.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Stage II Endometrial Cancer: Selective De-intensification of Adjuvant Treatment

AIMS

Risk stratification, including nodal assessment, allows for selective de-intensification of adjuvant radiotherapy in stage II endometrial cancer. Patterns of treatment and clinical outcomes, including the use of reduced volume 'mini-pelvis' radiotherapy fields, were evaluated in a population-based study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients diagnosed with pathological stage II endometrial cancer between 2000 and 2014, and received adjuvant radiotherapy in a regional healthcare jurisdiction were reviewed. Registry data were supplemented by a comprehensive review of patient demographics, disease characteristics and treatment details. The Charlson Comorbidity Score was calculated. Survival and recurrence data were analysed.

RESULTS

In total, 264 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most patients had endometrioid histology (83%); 41% of patients had International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians grade 1 disease. Half (49%) had surgical nodal evaluation; 11% received chemotherapy. Most patients (59%) were treated with full pelvic radiotherapy fields ± brachytherapy. Seventeen per cent of patients received mini-pelvis radiotherapy ± brachytherapy, whereas 24% received brachytherapy alone. Five-year recurrence-free survival was 87% for the entire cohort, with no significant difference by adjuvant radiotherapy approach. Only one patient receiving mini-pelvis radiotherapy ± brachytherapy recurred in the pelvis but outside of the mini-pelvis field. Recorded late toxicity rates were highest for full pelvis radiotherapy + brachytherapy.

CONCLUSION

Risk stratification in a real-world setting allowed for selective de-intensification of adjuvant radiation with equivalent outcomes for stage II endometrial cancer. Mini-pelvis radiotherapy combined with brachytherapy is effective in highly selected patients, with the potential to decrease toxicity without compromising local control. Brachytherapy should be considered in low-risk stage II patients.

A population-based study of outcomes in adjuvant radiotherapy for stage II endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to analyze recurrence and survival outcomes in stage II endometrial cancer patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy at CancerCare Manitoba, a Canadian provincial cancer program.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based cohort study identified all International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage II endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma diagnosed between January 1995 and December 2019. All patients underwent surgery followed by vaginal vault brachytherapy alone or external beam pelvic radiotherapy plus vaginal vault brachytherapy. We used Kaplan-Meier curves to describe overall survival and recurrence-free survival, and cumulative incidence to describe recurrence. Cox regression was used to predict overall survival and recurrence-free survival competing risk regression to predict recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 121 patients were included (78 vaginal brachytherapy alone and 43 external beam pelvic radiotherapy plus vaginal brachytherapy) with a median age of 62 (range 24-85). The median follow-up was 55.2 months (range 7.1-147.9) in the vaginal brachytherapy group and 41.9 months (range 7.4-127.0) in the pelvic radiotherapy group. Lymph node dissection was performed in 79 (65.3%) patients. There were 14 (17.9%) recurrences (8 vaginal vault, 3 pelvic, 3 distant) with vaginal brachytherapy and 7 (16.3%) recurrences (3 vaginal vault, 2 pelvic, 2 distant) with external beam pelvic radiotherapy. The 5 year overall survival was 73.1% with vaginal vault brachytherapy vs 73.7% with external beam pelvic radiotherapy plus vaginal brachytherapy (p=0.31), the 5 year recurrence-free survival was 65.0% vs 68.2% (p=0.61), and the 5 year recurrence risk was 20.3% vs 19.4% (p=0.94). On univariable and multivariable analysis, only age was a statistically significant predictor for overall survival and recurrence-free survival (p<0.05), but not lymphovascular space invasion (HR, 2.97; 95% CI, 0.99 to 8.93 for overall survival, p=0.15). The type of adjuvant radiotherapy did not predict for recurrence (p=0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and recurrence risk between vaginal vault brachytherapy vs external beam pelvic radiotherapy plus vaginal vault brachytherapy in patients with stage II endometrial cancer.

The Role of miRNAs in the Regulation of Endometrial Cancer Invasiveness and Metastasis-A Systematic Review

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common genital cancer in women with increasing death rates. MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression on the post-transcriptional levels. Multiple studies demonstrated a fundamental role of miRNAs in the regulation of carcinogenesis. This systematic review is a comprehensive overview of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis in EC. The literature was searched for studies investigating the role of miRNAs in the regulation of invasiveness and metastasis in EC. We explored PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using the following keywords: miRNA, metastasis, invasiveness, endometrial cancer. Data were collected from 163 articles that described the expression and role of 106 miRNAs in the regulation of EC invasiveness and metastasis out of which 63 were tumor suppressor miRNAs, and 38 were oncomiRNAs. Five miRNAs had a discordant role in different studies. Moreover, we identified 66 miRNAs whose expression in tumor tissue or concentration in serum correlated with at least one clinical parameter. These findings suggest a crucial role of miRNAs in the regulation of EC invasiveness and metastasis and present them as potential prognostic factors for patients with EC.

Risk factors for cervical stromal involvement in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of cervical stromal involvement in women with endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EEC).

METHODS

A total of 795 patients with EEC who underwent comprehensive surgical staging including pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection between January 2007 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including age, menopausal status, serum CA-125 levels, tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), depth of myometrial invasion, positive peritoneal cytology, cervical stromal involvement, histologic grade, recurrence, and follow-up duration were recorded.

RESULTS

Median follow up was 49 months. Cervical stromal invasion was found in 88 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of LVSI (hazard ratio [HR] 2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.25, P = 0.045), a primary tumor diameter of at least 3 cm (HR 3, 95% CI 1.31-7.25, P = 0.010), and at least 50% deep myometrial invasion (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.37-5.41, P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for cervical stromal involvement in patients with EEC.

CONCLUSION

Our study results suggest that presence of LVSI, a primary tumor diameter of at least 3 cm, and LVSI of at least 50% seem to be independent predictors of cervical involvement in women with EEC.

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and brachytherapy in endometrial cancer with gross cervical involvement: a CHIRENDO research group study

BACKGROUND

Historically, radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy has been offered to patients with endometrial cancer who have gross cervical involvement; however, this approach is known to carry considerable morbidity. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy has been proposed as an alternative treatment but has been poorly studied to date.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the locoregional control rate associated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 30 patients with endometrial cancer with gross cervical involvement treated between May 2006 and January 2016 was performed. Eligible patients were those aged >18 years with non-metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma and gross cervical disease treated with curative intent at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal. Treatment protocol consisted of pelvic neoadjuvant radiotherapy and high-dose rate brachytherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

The median age was 60 (range 37-82) and median body mass index was 32 kg/m² (range 16-55). Twenty-four (80%) patients were diagnosed with a positive cervical/endocervical biopsy. Clinical staging confirmed 36.7% (n=11) as stage II, 20% (n=6) stage IIIB, 30% (n=9) stage IIIC1, and 13.3% (n=4) stage IIIC2. Seventy-seven per cent (n=23) of patients had an endometrioid histology. Locally advanced disease was identified by imaging alone in six patients. Rates of parametrial, adnexal, vaginal, and nodal invasion were 10% (n=3), 6.7% (n=2), 13.3% (n=4), and 43.3% (n=13) at diagnosis, respectively. All patients completed pelvic radiotherapy (13.3% extended field) and 90% received brachytherapy. Twenty per cent (n=6) of surgeries were performed using minimal invasive technique. On surgical specimen, 63.3% (n=19) had complete cervical response, 90% (n=27) had negative margins, and 10% (n=3) had residual nodal involvement. Median follow-up time was 62 months (range 1-120). Six recurrences were identified; all except one involved distant failure, and two with locoregional failure. Five-year locoregional control rate, disease-free, overall, and disease-specific survival were 90.5%, 78.5%, 92.6%, and 96.2%, respectively. Two patients (6.7%) had grade 3+ acute radiation-related complications (all grade 3). Grade 3+ post-operative morbidity was noted in 2 (6.7%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by extra-fascial hysterectomy offers good locoregional control with low treatment-related morbidity in patients with endometrial cancer with overt cervical involvement.

External beam radiotherapy versus vaginal brachytherapy in patients with stage II endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

The choice of adjuvant treatment for women with stage II endometrial cancer is challenging, given the known increase in morbidity with external beam radiation compared with vaginal brachytherapy, and the lack of consensus on its benefits. We summarized the evidence on survival and recurrence for stage II endometrial cancer, defined as cervical stromal invasion, after adjuvant postoperative external beam radiotherapy and vaginal brachytherapy.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Scopus databases from inception to January 2019 to identify studies that compared adjuvant postoperative external beam radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy and vaginal brachytherapy alone in stage II endometrial cancer. Our primary outcome was the locoregional recurrence rate, defined as recurrence in the pelvis or vagina. Secondary outcomes included the rate of recurrence at any site, distant recurrence rate, vaginal recurrence rate, pelvic recurrence rate, and 5 year overall survival. Study selection, assessment, and data abstraction were performed by an independent set of reviewers. Random effects models were used to synthesize quantitative data.

Results

We included 15 cohort studies reporting data on 1070 women. Most women with stage II endometrial cancer (848/1070, 79.3%) were treated with external beam radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy. Subgroup analysis was stratified by whether >90% of the women included underwent pelvic lymph node assessment (sampling or full dissection). Locoregional recurrence (pelvic and vaginal recurrence) was significantly reduced with external beam radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy compared with vaginal brachytherapy alone (14 studies (n=1057); odds ratio (OR) 0.33 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.68); I2=5%) regardless of pelvic lymph node assessment. Most women (81.8%) who recurred locoregionally had a least one uterine risk factor (grade 3 tumor, myometrial invasion >50%, or lymphovascular invasion). There was no difference in overall survival with external beam radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy compared with vaginal brachytherapy alone (five studies (n=463); OR 0.78 (95% CI 0.34 to 1.80); I2=48%).

Conclusions

External beam radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy decreased the locoregional recurrence threefold for stage II endometrial cancer, regardless of pelvic lymph node assessment. Most women who suffered recurrence locoregionally had a least one high risk factor. Vaginal brachytherapy alone may be sufficient therapy for node negative stage II endometrial cancer without uterine risk factors, while those with uterine risk factors should be considered for external beam radiotherapy with or without vaginal brachytherapy to improve locoregional control.

The role of radiation therapy in the treatment of Stage II endometrial cancer: A large database study

PURPOSE

The optimum adjuvant treatment for Stage II endometrial cancer patients is unknown. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is often considered the standard of care; however, retrospective series suggest that brachytherapy (BT) alone may be sufficient for selected patients. As randomized data are lacking, we used a large database to explore this question.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The National Cancer Data Base was queried for patients with pathologic International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage II disease. Demographic, clinic-pathologic, and treatment details were compared between patients. Multivariable analysis was used to determine factors associated with receiving radiation therapy (RT). To account for imbalances between groups, a matched-pair analysis was completed.

RESULTS

Eight thousand one hundred forty patients were included. RT was associated with overall survival (OS), with EBRT (hazard ratio [HR] 0.64), BT (HR 0.47), and combination (HR 0.54) showing increased OS on univariate analysis. Facility, urban location, diagnosis year, hysterectomy type, and chemotherapy did not reach significance. On multivariate analysis, RT was associated with OS, with EBRT (HR 0.69), BT (HR 0.60), and combination (HR 0.54) showing benefit. Using propensity-score matching, RT continued to show improved OS regardless of type: BT (82% vs. 73% 5-year OS) and EBRT (77% vs. 71%). BT as compared to EBRT had equivalent survival (81% vs. 79%, not statistically significant).

CONCLUSION

This study of over 8,000 patients demonstrates that adjuvant RT confers a survival benefit in Stage II endometrial cancer and supports the continued use of RT in these patients. BT alone may be reasonable in carefully selected patients.