Urodynamic and Quality-of-Life Outcomes After Endometrial Cancer Treatment: A Prospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Urology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Endometrial cancer treatments, including surgery and radiotherapy, can impact lower urinary tract function and patient quality of life (QoL).
• Assessing these functional outcomes is crucial for comprehensive patient care and treatment evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate short-term urodynamic and QoL outcomes in endometrial cancer patients after surgical treatment with or without adjuvant radiotherapy.
• To determine the functional safety of contemporary endometrial cancer treatment protocols.

Main Methods:

• 101 women with endometrial cancer underwent urodynamic testing and QoL assessments (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-EN24) pre- and post-treatment (6 months).
• Urodynamic parameters included detrusor pressure, bladder capacity, compliance, and post-void residual (PVR) urine volume.
• Surgical approaches included robotic or open abdominal surgery; adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to a subset of patients.

Main Results:

• No clinically significant urodynamic deterioration was observed post-treatment.
• Median PVR urine volume decreased (50 to 40 mL, p=0.002) and detrusor pressure showed a non-significant trend of decrease (30 to 28 cmH2O, p=0.08).
• Quality of life scores remained high, with no significant changes in any domain, including sexual and urinary symptoms. No acute radiation cystitis occurred.

Conclusions:

• Endometrial cancer treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy appears safe for short-term lower urinary tract function and QoL.
• These findings support the functional safety of current treatment protocols.
• Longer-term follow-up is warranted to confirm sustained functional outcomes.