Molecular pathogenesis and prognostic factors in endometrial carcinoma

Endometrial carcinoma is today among the most common gynecologic malignancies in industrialized countries. In order to improve the treatment and follow-up of these patients, various prognostic factors have been extensively studied. Patient age, stage of disease, histologic type and histologic grade have been shown to influence survival significantly, and the prognostic impact of these traditional clinicopathologic variables is well established. In addition, parity, hormone receptor concentration in the tumor, DNA ploidy and morphometric nuclear grade have all been found to influence prognosis. Information about DNA ploidy has especially been used in the clinical situation to determine individualized treatment. The prognostic significance of markers for tumor cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation (p53, p21 and p16) and angiogenesis is discussed as well as the molecular basis of endometrial carcinoma. In conclusion, several prognostic markers have been identified. It is likely that the information derived from these tumor biomarkers will reduce the need for extensive surgical staging and adjuvant treatment in endometrial carcinoma.