Case report: Isolated axillary lymph node metastasis in high-risk endometrial cancer

There are risks of developing distant metastases over time for both early- and advanced-stage endometrial cancer. Axillary lymph node metastasis as the first site of recurrence, whether isolated or non-isolated, is uncommon, and there are currently no established treatment guidelines for such cases. This study highlights four cases of recurrent endometrial cancer that manifested axillary lymph node metastasis, providing a comprehensive review of their distinctive clinical behavior and the treatment strategies employed.

We reviewed and compared four cases of recurrent endometrial cancer that developed axillary lymph node metastasis following adjuvant treatment. Patients' perspectives were also discussed.

All four patients had aggressive endometrial histology, including high-grade serous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma. The stages at presentation were stages I and III, with laparotomy or laparoscopy used as the initial surgical approach. Axillary lymph node metastasis was the primary site of recurrence in three cases. Of the three patients with isolated axillary lymph node metastasis, two had long-term survival after aggressive locoregional treatment comprising surgery and radiation.

Axillary lymph node metastasis as the first site of recurrence is rare, even in high-risk endometrial cancer. In addition to systemic chemotherapy, aggressive locoregional treatment can potentially maximize the chance of long-term disease control.