Contemporary analysis of pelvic and para-aortic metastasis in endometrial cancer using the SEER registry

Objective To determine the incidence of regional lymph node involvement for early-stage endometrial cancer by using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry.

Methods In a retrospective study, data were analyzed from patients who were diagnosed with stage IA-IIB endometrioid adenocarcinoma and were treated between 1998 and 2003. The incidence of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node involvement was determined.

Results Data were analyzed from 4052 patients. Incidences of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node metastases were: 1% and 0% in stage IA, grade 1 disease; 2% and 0% in IA, grade 2; 2% and 1% in IA, grade 3; 2% and 0% in IB, grade 1; 3% and 1% in IB, grade 2; 3% and 2% in IB, grade 3; 7% and 3% in IC, grade 1; 8% and 5% in IC, grade 2; 12% and 8% in IC, grade 3; 7% and 3% in IIA, grade 1; 10% and 4% in IIA, grade 2; 10% and 5% in IIA, grade 3; 8% and 4% in IIB, grade 1; 13% and 8% in IIB, grade 2; and 19% and 12% in IIB, grade 3.

Conclusion Incidences of pelvic and para-aortic metastases were lower than previously reported. Patients at higher stages and grades had a 10% or higher risk of lymph node involvement and might benefit from aggressive therapy.