The Danish Endometrial Cancer Study (DEMCA)

In an attempt to create uniform nation-wide guidelines for the management of all stages of endometrial cancer, and to limit the use of adjuvant irradiation in stage I disease to high-risk patients only, a protocol was developed by the Danish Endometrial Cancer (DEMCA) group. As histologic grading and degree of myometrial invasion are useful indicators of high risk, it was decided not to deliver preoperative irradiation. In order to evaluate the effect of sequential endocrine treatment with anti-estrogen and progestin in stage IV endometrial cancer and recurrences a phase II protocol was developed. From September 1986, the great majority of women in Denmark with newly diagnosed cancer of the endometrium have been treated according to these protocols. The DEMCA protocols are described, and preliminary data from the first year of the study are presented. Mean follow-up time is still short and does not permit analysis in respect to treatment results.