Pre-operative, post-operative and exclusive irradiation of endometrial adenocarcinoma

Surgery is the golden standard of treatment of endometrial carcinoma. The risk of central or vaginal recurrences justifies adjuvant treatment.

Brachytherapy for endometrial adenocarcinoma is given commonly as pre- or post-operative treatment. In case of medical contra-indications for surgery brachytherapy can be applied as the only treatment. Experience of the anticancer center Alexis Vautrin in Nancy of the years 1975 to 1988 is evaluated. Iridium-192 low-dose-rate (LDR) wires were used.

Pre-operative brachytherapy was given with a vaginal mould applicator to 580 patients. The dose was 50 Gy at 0.5 cm below the surface of the vagina. The locoregional control rate was 93% after 5 years and the 5-year survival 82%. 139 patients received radiotherapy alone and no surgery. LDR-brachytherapy was given the upper third of the vagina and endometrium with an "umbrella" applicator. The locoregional control rate was 83% after 5 years and the survival rate 55%. 117 patients received a post-operative brachytherapy of the vagina. The locoregional control rate was 93% after 10 years and the survival rate 65%.

A pre- and post-operative radiotherapy results in a reduction of the vaginal relapse rate. The LDR afterloading technique with primary radiotherapy of endometrial adenocarcinoma leads to a locoregional control slightly interior. The treatment results compare favourably with the best of the literature.