A detailed analysis of lymph node recurrence in endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The lymph node (LN) is one of the main sites of recurrence in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC). Literature specifically analyzing LN recurrence (LNR) in EC remains limited in number. METHODS: Patients with EC undergoing surgery between 2006 and 2021 in Peking University People’s Hospital was included, clinicopathological data of whom were collected and analyzed retrospectively by R 4.0.3. RESULTS: A total of 792 patients were included, with 73 patients having recurrence, among whom 21 patients had LNR. Median recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with LNR was 16 [4–39] months. LNR was extensive, with pelvic LNs most commonly involved (9/21). There are various patterns of LNR, with 33.3% (7/21) LN-only recurrence. Multivariable analysis suggested advanced stage, larger tumor diameter and poor histology were independent risk factors for LNR. Patients with LN metastasis (LNM) diagnosed at initial treatment accounted for 47.6% (10/21) of cases with LNR, 60.0% (6/10) of whom had recurrent LNs beyond the region of LNM, 90.0% (9/10) of whom had recurrence nodes overlapping with the range of lymphadenectomy. Uni- and multi-variable analysis suggested lymphadenectomy was not a protective factor for LNR, with both the range and number of LNs harvested considered. CONCLUSIONS: LNR is common in patients with EC, with an extensive range and various patterns of recurrence. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, tumor diameter and histology were independent risk factors for LNR, but lymphadenectomy seemed not a protective factor for LNR.