A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Endometrial carcinoma molecular subtype correlates with the presence of lymph node metastases
Authors: Jamieson Amy, Thompson Emily F., Huvila Jutta, Leung Samuel, Lum Amy, Morin Chantale, Ennour-Idrissi Kaoutar, Sebastianelli Alexandra, Renaud Marie-Claude, Gregoire Jean, Huntsman David G., Gilks C. Blake, Plante Marie, Grondin Katherine, McAlpine Jessica N.
Publisher: Academic Press Inc.
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Gynecologic Oncology
Journal name in source: Gynecologic Oncology
Volume: 165
Issue: 2
First page : 376
Last page: 384
eISSN: 1095-6859
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.01.025
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.01.025
Background: The role of lymph node assessment/dissection (LND) in endometrial cancer (EC) has been debated for decades, with significant practice variation between centers. Molecular classification of EC provides prognostic information and can be accurately performed on preoperative endometrial biopsies. We assessed the association between molecular subtype and lymph node metastases (LNM) in order to determine if this tool could be used to stratify surgical decision making.
Methods: All EC patients undergoing primary staging surgery with planned complete pelvic +/- para-aortic LND from a single institution in the 2015 calendar year were identified, with clinicopathological and outcome data assessed in the context of retrospectively assigned molecular classification.
Results: 172 patients were included. Molecular classification of the total cohort showed 21 POLEmut (12.2%), 47 MMRd (27.3%), 74 NSMP (43.1%), and 30 p53abn (17.4%) ECs. Complete pelvic +/- para-aortic LND was performed in 171 of 172 patients, and LNM were found in 31/171 (18.1%). This included macrometastases (19/31), micrometastases (5/31), and isolated tumour cells (ITCs) (7/31). LNM were pelvic only in 83.9%, and pelvic plus para-aortic in 16.1%. There were no isolated para-aortic LNM. Molecular subtype was significantly associated with LNM (p = 0.004). There was a strong association between the presence of LNM and p53abn EC (nodal involvement in 44.8% of cases), with LNM detected in 14.2% of POLEmut, 14.9% of MMRd, and 10.8% of NSMP EC. On multivariate analysis, molecular subtype and preoperative CA 125 > 25 were significantly associated with LNM (p = 0.021 and p = 0.022 respectively) but preoperative grade and histotype were not (p = 0.24).
Conclusion: EC molecular subtype is significantly associated with the presence of LNM. As molecular classification can be obtained on preoperative diagnostic specimens, this information can be used to guide surgical treatment planning and may reduce the cost and morbidity of unnecessary lymph node staging in EC care.
