Management of early endometrial carcinoma

Abstract

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. In 1989, the FIGO staging changed from a clinical to a surgical system. Lymphadenectomy for at least some patients has been widely adopted. The risk of extrauterine disease and of treatment failure is predictable, based on factors known preoperatively: 1) tumor histology, 2) tumor grade, and 3) cervical involvement. With the use of these factors, patients can be selected for lymphadenectomies. Based on the results of surgical staging, patients can be separated into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, and adjuvant therapy can be rationally and economically selected.