Retrospective analysis on coexisting ovarian cancer in 976 patients with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma

To evaluate the safety of ovarian preservation at the time of operation in clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma.

The data of patients with and without coexisting ovarian cancers were retrospectively collected and clinic-pathologic parameters were analyzed.

In total, 20 (2.05%) were histologically diagnosed as coexisting ovarian cancer, including 17 (1.74%) ovarian metastases and three (0.31%) synchronous ovarian primary cancers in 976 patients. Fifty percent (10 of 20) were microscopic ovarian involvements. Ovarian involvement was significantly associated with histological type, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, uterine serosa extension, fallopian tube involvement, retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis, positive peritoneal cytology and CA125 level by univariate analysis (all P<0.05); while cervical invasion, uterine serosa extension, and fallopian tube involvement were independent high-risk factors by multivariate analysis (both P<0.05).

The incidence of coexisting ovarian cancer in clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma is low, but the decision for ovary preservation at the time of operation still needs to be made with caution because of occult ovarian metastasis, especially for patients with high-risk factors.