Abstract

The treatment of endometrial cancer has changed substantially in the past decade with the introduction of a new staging system and surgical approaches accompanied by novel adjuvant therapies. Primary surgical treatment is the mainstay of therapy but the effectiveness and extent of lymphadenectomy has been challenged, and its acceptance as a routine procedure varies by country. The role of radiation has evolved and chemotherapy has been incorporated, either alone or combined with radiation, to treat the many patients in whom cancer recurs because of a tumour outside the originally radiated pelvic and lower abdominal area. Use of traditional adjuvant chemotherapeutics has been challenged in clinical trials of new agents with improved side-effect profiles. Novel agents and targeted therapies are being investigated. Research into genetic susceptibility to endometrial cancer and the potential genetic aberrations that might translate into therapeutic interventions continues to increase. Substantial global variability in the treatment of endometrial cancer has led to examination of long-accepted norms, which has resulted in rapidly changing standards. International cooperation in clinical trials will hasten progress in treatment of this ubiquitous cancer.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Wright JD, Barrena Medel NI, Sehouli J, Fujiwara K, Herzog TJ

Institution

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Source

Lancet 379:9823 2012 Apr 7 pg 1352-60

MeSH

Adenocarcinoma
Antineoplastic Agents
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Endometrial Neoplasms
Fallopian Tubes
Female
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Hysterectomy
Laparoscopy
Lymph Node Excision
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Neoplasm Staging
Ovariectomy
Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
Robotics

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22444602