Management of the patient with early endometrial carcinoma

Abstract

One hundred forty sequential patients treated for endometrial adenocarcinoma between 1958 and 1966 at Stanford University Hospital are reported. The 5-year actuarial survival for the group was 75%. Tumor recurrence and prognosis correlated with histologic differentiation and depth of myometrial invasion. Stage I patients treated with surgery alone had a 5-year actuarial survival of 95% and a tumor recurrence rate of 2%. Routine preoperative irradiation does not appear to be necessary or logical in the treatment of Stage I endometrial carcinoma. Rather, postoperative radiation should be used for those Stage I patients whose tumors invade beyond 50% of the thickness of the myometrium as determined by pathologic examination of the uterus. Preoperative radiation therapy should be used for Stage II and III patients and possibly for Stage I patients with anaplastic carcinoma.