Endometrial carcinoma: the role of irradiation

The role of irradiation in endometrial carcinoma has been discussed. Patients with well-differentiated carcinomas in small uteri with clinical and pathological minimal disease do not require irradiation. For those patients who do benefit from irradiation, the pros and cons of preoperative vs postoperative administration and intracavitary vs external irradiation has been discussed. Techniques and dosages have been suggested. At the present time there exist two schools of thought about the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Both appear equally effective. It is predicted that, with time and prospective studies, the two schools of therapy will be brought closer together.