Prevalence of pelvic lymph node metastases in endometrial cancer patients at Srinagarind Hospital

Abstract

Background: Since 1996, endometrial cancer patients at Srinagarind Hospital (SNH) have been surgically staged according to recommendation of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 1988. However, there was no data about the prevalence and predicting factors of pelvic lymph node metastases in the patients with endometrial cancer in SNH before. These data could lead to either supporting or objection of our practice.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and predicting factors of pelvic lymph node metastases in endometrial cancer patients at Srinagarind Hospital

Materials and methods: Medical records of endometrial cancer patients, whose were primarily surgically treated at Srinagarind Hospital during January, 1996 to July, 2005, were collected and analyzed by retrospective chart reviews.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Setting: Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Results: 199 endometrial cancer patients were treated with surgical staging procedures. Prevalence of pelvic lymph nodes metastases was 11.6% (23/199). Only lymphovascular space invasion was found to be the significant predicting factor for pelvic lymph node metastases.

Conclusion: As prevalence of pelvic lymph nodes metastases was 11.6% and postoperative lymphovascular space invasion was the only a significant predicting factor for pelvic lymph node metastases. Routine surgical staging procedures in our endometrial cancer patients were supported.

Key words: Prevalence, pelvic lymph nodes, endometrial cancer