Evaluating the significance of location of lymph node metastasis and extranodal disease in women with stage IIIC endometrial cancer

Gynecol Oncol. 2011 Nov;123(2):208-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.07.025. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prognostic significance of location of lymph node metastasis and extranodal disease for women with stage IIIC endometrial cancer.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 1988 and 2005. Statistical analysis used Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards model.

Results: A total of 2559 women were identified; 1453 stage IIIC1, and with 906 stage IIIC2 tumors. Compared to stage IIIC1; more stage IIIC2 patients demonstrated high-risk factors such as grade III disease (p<0.001), unfavorable histologic types (p=0.01), concurrent disease at other extrauterine sites (p<0.001), and greater than two positive lymph nodes (p<0.001). While the 5-year disease specific survival was comparable (p>0.05) among node positive patients found to have positive peritoneal cytology (44.0%), adnexal/serosal metastasis (42.9%), and vaginal/parametrial involvement (41.8%); it differed individually in all three categories from those with nodal metastasis alone (67.0%, p<0.001). Among women with extranodal disease, the location of nodal metastasis had no effect on survival (HR=0.92; 95% CI, 0.74-1.14). For women with node only stage IIIC tumors, those patients with positive para-aortic nodes were more likely to die from their tumors (HR=1.40; 95% CI, 1.12-1.75).

Conclusion(s): Location of lymph node metastasis is prognostic in patients with nodal disease alone, and not in those with extranodal disease. Extranodal disease is associated with a poor prognosis and should be regarded in conjunction with location of lymph node metastasis for risk-stratification in stage IIIC endometrial cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • SEER Program