Risk of spilling cancer cells during total laparoscopic hysterectomy in low-risk endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of spilling cancer cells during total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) using a uterine manipulator in early-stage endometrial cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study among women undergoing TLH for Clinical Stage IA endometrial cancer between March 2015 and November 2015. Peritoneal washings before the insertion of the uterine manipulator and after TLH were obtained. The two sets of washings were reviewed by a cytopathologist to determine the presence or absence of malignant cells in a blinded manner. RESULTS: Thirteen endometrial cancer patients (age 39–79 years, median: 62.2 years) were enrolled. The postoperative tumor grades were: G1: 11 (84.6%) and G2: 2 (15.4%). All patients underwent TLH and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pelvic/para-aortic lymph node dissection was not performed in all cases. Only one patient showed positive peritoneal cytology in the pre-TLH sample. There was high agreement (92.3%) between the two sets of washings in all patients. No patients received postoperative treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that fallopian tubal cauterization is sufficient to provide protection from the dissemination of cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity at the time of TLH for endometrial cancers in early stages.