Is older age a poor prognostic factor in stage I and II endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma?

Abstract

ObjectivePrior studies have shown that age ≥70years is associated with more aggressive non-endometrioid histology and worse survival in endometrial cancer. The purpose of this study is to assess if age is an independent poor prognostic factor in endometrioid histologies. MethodsUnder an IRB-approved protocol, we identified patients with surgical stage I to II endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma from 1995 to 2008 at two institutions. Patients were divided into two groups based on age at diagnosis: Group A (age 50–69years) and Group B (age≥70years). All patients underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingoophorectomy, +/−pelvic/aortic lymphadenectomy and adjuvant therapy. Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsWe identified 338 patients with stage IA to IIB endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. The median age in Group A was 59years (range 50–69) and Group B was 75years (range 70–92). Patients in Group B were more likely to have hypertension (51% vs. 68%, p=0.006) and coronary artery disease (9% vs. 18%, p=0.03). There were no differences in progression-free or disease-specific survival, however, Group B had a worse overall survival (OS) (50.1 vs. 62.6months, p=0.03). On univariate analysis, age (p=0.04), grade (p=0.006), and coronary artery disease (p=0.01) were associated with worse OS. After adjusting for grade and coronary artery disease, age was no longer a significant variable for OS (p=0.17). ConclusionsAfter adjusting for other poor prognostic factors, age ≥70years alone may not be a significant variable affecting overall survival in patients with early stage endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma.