15064 Background: The treatment of endometrial cancer involves surgical removal of the ovary; this elimination induces an abrupt menopause and may deteriorate the qualities of life. Therefore, ovarian preservation may be a consideration for premenopausal women. Our main objectives are to examine the occurrence of ovarian metastasis or synchronous malignancy and to evaluate the feasibility of ovarian preservation in patients with early stage endometrial carcinoma. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 259 patients undergoing surgical treatment for endometrial cancer at a single institute from 1992 to 2004. Results: Among the 224 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma who had undergone ovarian removal, cancer in ovarian tissue was detected in 21 cases (9.4%, 14 ovarian metastasis, 7 synchronous cancer). Synchronous ovarian cancer showed abnormal gross finding in all 7 cases. Thirteen cases of ovarian metastasis were high grade lesion in preoperative evaluation, or showed intraoperative peritoneal seeding or abnormal gross lesion around adnexa. In 35 patients, grossly normal ovary was saved selectively in compliance with patients’ need (19 bilateral, 16 unilateral). Thirty-one of 35 (89%) were under 45 years and mostly showed early stage (Ia, 24; Ib, 7; Ic, 1; IIa, 1; IIb, 2). Pre-operative MRI was available in 30 cases, and none of them showed findings suggesting tumor extension outside of uterus. In 2 cases of IIb, postoperative radiation therapy was done. There was no recurrence or death in all cases of ovarian preservation except one in which a patient died of sepsis caused by postoperative bowel perforation (median duration of follow-up, 76 mon.; range 3∼121). Conclusions: Ovarian preservation can be cautiously performed, preceded by a thorough preoperative and intraoperative assessment of the adnexa in young women with endometrial carcinoma. The patients who desire ovarian preservation should be counseled regarding the rate of ovarian metastasis or synchronous malignancy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Ovarian preservation improves overall survival in young patients with early-stage endometrial cancer
