Uterine papillary serous carcinoma pre-operatively diagnosed as endometrioid carcinoma: Is omentectomy necessary?

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is a relatively rare but aggressive uterine malignancy comprising approximately 10% of endometrial cancers. Many women pre-operatively misdiagnosed as having endometrioid carcinoma have ultimately UPSC on final pathology. These women receive inadequate surgical staging without omentectomy.

To assess the value of omentectomy on disease-free interval and overall survival in women with UPSC who had an initial diagnosis of endometrioid carcinoma.

This retrospective study included all women treated for the final diagnosis of UPSC in our centre from January 2007 to December 2012. Data regarding patient demographics, staging procedures, histology results, adjuvant therapy and follow-up outcomes were recorded.

Of the 52 women with a final diagnosis of UPSC, more than 45% had an initial diagnosis of endometrioid carcinoma. All women underwent hysterectomy and removal of the adnexa. Lymph node evaluation was performed in 75% of women. Omentectomy was performed in 30/52 women (58%). Of those, three women (10%) had omental involvement. Mean disease-free interval with omentectomy was 24.5 months versus 30.5 months without (P = 0.29). Mean overall survival was 33 months with an omentectomy and 29 months without (P = 0.32). Recurrence patterns did not differ between groups.

Women diagnosed pre-operatively with endometrioid carcinoma and eventually found to have UPSC can expect no change in prognosis despite not having undertaken a full staging procedure. Repeat surgery for omentectomy is probably of no benefit.