Impact of patient characteristics on primary treatment approach of endometrial cancer: a population-based study in the Netherlands.

Abstract

Objective: The incidence of endometrial cancer is rising worldwide, with increasing numbers of elderly patients with substantial comorbidity. We aimed to provide insight into the primary treatment strategies, trends, and outcomes for patients with endometrial cancer in the Netherlands across different periods, and to evaluate the influence of patient characteristics on treatment approaches within these periods.

Methods: All patients diagnosed with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to III endometrial cancer between 1995 and 2022 were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Data on histology, FIGO stage, primary treatment, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, and outcome were collected and analyzed. Patients were evaluated in 6 5-year cohorts to observe possible trends in treatment choices and outcomes over time, based on patient and tumor characteristics.

Results: A total of 43,443 patients were included. Most patients were diagnosed with endometrioid histology (89%, n = 38,751) and early-stage disease (FIGO I-II, 87%, n = 38,077). An increase in endometrial cancer incidence and survival was observed over time, along with a shift toward more non-endometrioid endometrial cases. A primary surgical approach was performed in 95% (n = 41,107) of patients. Among those receiving non-surgical management, curative treatment was reported in only 4% (n = 88). Most patients unfit for surgery either received no treatment (n = 1053, 2%) or were treated with hormonal therapy (n = 840, 2%). Over time, we observed increased use of hormonal therapy as a non-surgical treatment. Patients who did not undergo surgery were older, more often had a body mass index >30 kg/m², and more often had a Charlson comorbidity index ≥2.

Conclusions: Incidence and survival in patients with endometrial cancer increased between 1999 and 2022. Patients unfit for surgery most often received no treatment or palliative hormonal therapy. Curative radiotherapy is not often used in patients unfit for surgery and should be considered for this group of patients.