The role of radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma

The purpose of this work is to describe the role of radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma. Endometrial carcinoma is a common, invasive gynaecologic malignancy that kills thousands of women throughout the world each year. This tumour is especially common in developed countries. The use of radiotherapy in these patients may consist of preoperative irradiation, irradiation alone or postoperative irradiation. The use of irradiation has changed significantly over time and the use of a specific radiotherapy modality depends on many factors, including local geographic practice patterns. The evolving use of pre and postoperative irradiation will be described. Whole abdominal irradiation and the use of irradiation alone in medically inoperable patients will be discussed. Current prospective randomised studies within the United States will be presented and discussed.