High-Risk Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: Role of Adjuvant Therapy and Prognostic Factors Affecting Survival
Ji Hyun Hong, Jun Kang, Sung Jong Lee, Keun Ho Lee, Soo Young Hur, Yeon‐Sil Kim
Abstract
Background/Objectives: High-grade endometrial cancer, including non-endometrioid and grade 3 endometrioid histologies, is associated with poor prognosis despite early-stage diagnosis. This study assessed the prognosis of early-stage high-grade endometrial cancer, identified prognostic factors, and evaluated the optimal candidates for adjuvant therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 106 patients with 2018 FIGO stage I–II high-grade endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomies between 2008 and 2022. Adjuvant therapy was determined by a multidisciplinary team. Survival outcomes were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model. Results: Of 106 patients, 60 had non-endometrioid, and 46 had grade 3 endometrioid carcinoma; 69 (65.1%) received adjuvant therapy. After a median follow-up of 48.8 months, 37 patients experienced disease progression, and 21 died. Non-endometrioid histology was significantly associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.002). Lack of lymph node dissection, deeper invasion, and the omission of adjuvant therapy were additional adverse prognostic factors. Adjuvant therapy improved the overall survival (p = 0.009), disease-free survival (p = 0.021), and locoregional recurrence-free survival (p = 0.034) in patients with one or two risk factors. Conclusions: Non-endometrioid histology, deep invasion, and the lack of lymph node dissection are associated with worse survival in early-stage high-grade endometrial cancer. Adjuvant therapy should be considered in patients with these risk factors.