MANAGEMENT OF STAGE-1 CARCINOMA OF THE UTERUS

Abstract

To limit the use of adjuvant irradiation in the management of stage I endometrial carcinoma to high-risk patients only, a protocol was developed that utilizes grading and degree of myometrial invasion as indicators of high risk. From 1974-1977, 140 patients at Rochester General Hospital [Rochester, New York, USA] were treated according to this protocol. All patient had total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Adjuvant irradiation was given only to the patients who had grade 3 curettings or > 1/3 myometrial invasion. In this series only 20.7% required irradiation. There were no vaginal or pelvic recurrences; the 5-yr tumor-free survival rate was 93%.