Patterns of Recurrence in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer

Abstract

Objective: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in high-income countries and has a good prognosis, particularly when diagnosed early. Early stage, low-grade endometrial cancer has a low risk of recurrence, and is detectable on routine follow up. This study aims to identify rates and patterns of recurrence in low-risk endometrial cancer patients and provide evidence for transitioning to community-based follow-up care. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with early-stage, low-grade endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma treated with surgery from January 1981 to December 2018. The rate and patterns of recurrence were identified and analysed. Results: Of 1215 eligible patients, 24 developed recurrent disease (1.98%). The majority of recurrences were pelvic (70%), and confined to the vaginal vault (41.7%). The median duration of follow up was 44.4 months, and time from primary surgery to diagnosis of recurrent disease was 30.5 months. No significant differences were found between the group of patients who recurred and the group of patients who did not. Twelve (50%) patients with recurrences were asymptomatic, but of these, 10 (83%) had obvious findings during routine surveillance physical examination. The remaining 12 patients (50%) presented with symptoms that prompted investigation that led to the recurrence diagnosis. 78% of recurrences were treated with combination therapy (surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal). Ten patients (42%) had salvageable disease. For the non-salvageable cases, there was a mean of 2.1 years from recurrence diagnosis to death. Conclusions: The low recurrence rate of low-risk endometrial cancer following primary surgical management, and the feasibility of detection of recurrent disease, support transitioning surveillance to community-based settings.