Endometrial cancer. Management of high risk and recurrence including the tamoxifen controversy.

Abstract

Risk factors for endometrial cancer include obesity, nulligravidity, late menopause, and anovulatory states. Although diabetes is highly associated with endometrial cancer, hypertension is not an independent variable when correction is made for other factors. Exogenous estrogen increases the risk by at least four times, and smoking is a significant factor. Screening of asymptomatic women may be useful among high risk patients. In addition, racial influence on virulence has recently been identified. Most recurrences of endometrial cancer are identified within 3 years of initial diagnosis. Predictors include ploidy, histologic grade, histologic type, receptor status, and stage. Treatment of recurrence is individualized based on tumor location and receptor status and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, or cytotoxic chemotherapy. Tamoxifen has been shown to improve survival among subsets of patients with breast cancer in all stages. A comprehensive literature review and meta-analyses, however, verified an increased risk of endometrial cancer among tamoxifen-treated patients compared with control subjects that may equal the cancer risk from exogenous estrogen exposure. Screening techniques include sonographic assessment of endometrial thickening and vascular patterns, hysteroscopy, and endometrial sampling. A subendometrial cystic proliferation can confuse radiographic evaluation of endometrium, leading to unindicated curettage. A disproportionate incidence of high grade lesions has been reported; however, tamoxifen should not be withheld from patients with breast cancer.