Preventing recurrence of endometrial cancer

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Risk of relapse is high in certain women who develop endometrial cancer, researchers say.
In the USA, endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. A team at the Mayo Clinic now reveals that among women who have specific risk factors, the risk of recurrence is around 46 per cent and these women should have additional treatments and targeted therapies.

The findings come from a study of nearly 1,000 women with endometrial cancer, treated between 1984 to 1996. Specific characteristics of tissue when studied under the microscope were risk factors for recurrence. Another risk factor was whether the disease was confined to the uterus or had already spread.

The researchers found that those at risk could also be categorized according to their pattern of recurrence - such as lungs, abdomen and lymph nodes. If an individual woman's risk factors are taken into account, they say, then doctors could tailor the treatment to more effectively prevent recurrence.

Source
Mayo Clinic 17th January 2005

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