A retrospective analysis of endometrial carcinoma cases surgically treated with or without para-aortic lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose: To analyze the efficacies of para-aortic node (PAN) dissection for patients undergoing surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial carcinomas. Methods: At the Osaka University Hospital and the Kaizuka City Hospital in Osaka, Japan, either pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) plus para-aortic lymph nodes (PAN) or PLN-only dissections were performed for endometrial carcinomas. An adjuvant chemotherapy using paclitaxel, epirubicin, and carboplatin was conducted for all such patients. A retrospective comparison of the efficacy of PAN dissection was conducted. Results: Disease-free and overall survivals and frequency of PAN involvement at the first recurrence did not exhibit a statistically significant difference between the PLN-only group and the PLN + PAN group. Operation time was significantly longer in the PLN + PAN group than the PLN-only group, and the total blood loss was also significantly greater in the PLN+PAN group. Conclusion: PAN dissection may be omitted, without adverse effect on prognosis, for endometrial carcinoma patients with recurrence risks who undergo adjuvant chemotherapy using platinum, anthracycline and taxane derivatives.

Endometrial carcinoma; Para-aortic lymph node dissection; Adjuvant chemotherapy; Prognosis

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