Maximal cytoreductive surgery as a reasonable therapeutic alternative for recurrent endometrial carcinoma

The objective was to determine if maximal cytoreductive surgery could carry any benefit in pelvic and abdominal recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

Twenty women at their first large pelvic or abdominal recurrence from endometrial carcinoma were treated with maximal cytoreductive surgery. Women were classified as R1 (residual tumor) or R0 (no residual tumor) by tumor left at the end of surgery. Adjuvant postoperative therapy was undertaken upon clinical judgement. Progression-free, overall, and cancer-related survivals were analyzed with the product-limit method and compared with the log-rank test. The Cox regression model was used to study the variables involved in progression-free and overall survival.

Complete macroscopic resection of tumor was feasible in 13 women (65%). R0 group women had a significant both progression-free (median reached at 9.1 months) and overall survival (median reached at 11.8 months) compared to R1 group women. There were 2 (10%) perioperative deaths. Eight women died of cancer, 5 in the R1 group and 3 in the R0 group. There were four intercurrent deaths in women still free from the disease. Local control of neoplasia was achieved in 84.6% of R0 women and their survival was affected mostly by distant recurrences or intercurrent deaths. Residual tumor at the end of surgery was the only significant variable to affect both progression-free and overall survival.

Intensive surgery is a valid treatment option in women with large pelvic or abdominal recurrence from endometrial carcinoma. Tumor can be completely resected and local control of the disease can be achieved in most of the patients, although survival could be affected by distant recurrence and intercurrent deaths.