Enrico Vizza

Sentinel node mapping in endometrial cancer

Nodal status is one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with apparent early stage endometrial cancer. The role of retroperitoneal staging in endometrial cancer is controversial. Nodal status provides useful prognostic data, and allows to tailor the need of postoperative treatments. However, two independent randomized trials showed that the execution of (pelvic) lymphadenectomy increases the risk of having surgery-related complication without improving patients' outcomes. Sentinel node mapping aims to achieve data regarding nodal status without increasing morbidity. Sentinel node mapping is the removal of first (clinically negative) lymph nodes draining the uterus. Several studies suggested that sentinel node mapping is not inferior to lymphadenectomy in identifying patients with nodal disease. More importantly, thorough ultrastaging sentinel node mapping allows the detection of low volume disease (micrometastases and isolated tumor cells), that are not always detectable via conventional pathological examination. Therefore, the adoption of sentinel node mapping guarantees a higher identification of patients with nodal disease than lymphadenectomy. Further evidence is needed to assess the value of various adjuvant strategies in patients with low volume disease and to tailor those treatments also on the basis of the molecular and genomic characterization of endometrial tumors.

Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of robotic single-port hysterectomy (R-SPH) using the da Vinci SP system in low-risk endometrial cancer: a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of robotic single-port hysterectomy (R-SPH) with the da Vinci SP in low-risk endometrial cancer. Patients with clinically confirmed endometrioid endometrial cancer, FIGO stages IA-IB, were enrolled for R-SPH. All surgical procedures were performed through a single 2.5 cm umbilical incision. An Intuitive Access Port of small size was placed into the incision, and pneumoperitoneum was established. Robotic instruments were inserted as described below through the Intuitive Access Port, which has four different channel ports: in the superior channel, a three-dimensional 8.5 mm optics; in channel 1, Cadiere Forceps; in channel 2, a Maryland Bipolar; and in channel 3, monopolar scissors. From June 24 to November 13, 2024, a total of 25 patients were included in the study. The median age was 61 years, and median BMI was 25.9 kg/m R-SPH seems safe and feasible in endometrial cancer. The true benefit of the technique should be sought in larger comparative studies. ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Record: NCT06681831.

SLYMEC II study: Overall survival analysis of the impact of LVSI in apparent early stage endometrioid endometrial cancer

In our initial report of the SLYMEC study we published the results evaluated the prognostic impact of substantial lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) on the sentinel lymph node status and the impact of the different types of LVSI on 3-year disease-free survival. The aim of the SLYMEC II study was to assess the impact of focal and substantial lymphovascular space invasion on 5-years overall survival in the subgroup of patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer. A total of 2030 patients were included in the analysis from the original data set. Focal LVSI were identified in 131 patients (6.4 %), whereas 319 patients (15.7 %) showed substantial LVSI at final pathology. Among 1876 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery (92.6 %), 442 patents (21.8 %) underwent robotic assisted surgery, whereas and 150 patients (7.6 %) patients underwent open surgery. Rate of overall survival at 5 years was 83.6 % versus 100 % for substantial and focal LVSI groups, respectively (HR for death = 2.1 [95 % CI, 1.4 to 3.2]; P < 0.0001). Patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer having substantial LVSI after surgery showed an increased risk of death in the after 5-years overall survival when compared to patients with negative, or focal LVSI. The presence of positive LVSI in patients with positive sentinel nodes showed a trend toward reduced 5-year overall survival compared to SLN-negative patients, although it did not reach statistical significance.

Robotic-assisted single-port and multi-port surgical staging in early-stage endometrial cancer: a propensity matched comparison.

Robotic-assisted surgery has emerged as an effective method for managing endometrial cancer. Recently, the new Da Vinci Single-Port (SP) was developed with the aim of minimizing surgery-related morbidity, using a single-port approach. The present research evaluated outcomes of apparent early-stage endometrial cancer patients undergoing single- and multi-port robotic-assisted surgery. This is a retrospective study. Data of consecutive patients affected by early-stage endometrial cancer who had robotic-assisted staging (including hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and nodal staging) with Da Vinci SP were matched 1:1 with a cohort of patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery with the multi-port Da Vinci Xi. The matching was conducted by a propensity-score comparison. Fifty patient pairs (50 undergoing single-port surgical staging vs. 50 undergoing multiple-port surgical staging) were included. Demographic and baseline characteristics were balanced between groups. Median (skin to skin) operative time (minutes) was similar between groups (120 (range, 70-229) in the single-port vs. 115 (range, 60-205) in the multi-port group; p = 0.367). Estimated blood loss was comparable between groups (p = 0.317). No intra-operative complications or intra-operative blood transfusions were recorded. The median length of hospital stay was similar between groups (p = 0.269). Overall, 10 (10 %) patients developed 90-day surgery-related complications: six (12 %) and four (8 %) in the single- and multi-port group, respectively (p = 0.740). One (2 %) and two (4 %) patients experienced severe (grade 3 or more) 90-day complications after single- and multi-port robotic-assisted staging (p = 1.00). Introducing Da Vinci SP appears to be safe and feasible. The single-port approach does not increase operative time and complication rates in comparison to the multi-port robotic-assisted system.

The impact of Substantial LYMphovascular space invasion on sentinel lymph nodes status and recurrence in Endometrial Cancer patients: SLYM-EC a multicenter retrospective study

To evaluate the prognostic impact of substantial lymph vascular space invasion (LVSI) on the sentinel lymph node involvement and recurrence rate of patients with apparent uterine-confined endometrial cancer. We enrolled consecutive patients with apparent confined endometrial cancer who underwent surgical staging with sentinel node mapping from 14 European reference centers. LVSI was analyzed semi-quantitatively, according to a 3-tiered scoring system classified as absent, focal, and substantial. Among 2352 eligible patients, 1980 were included in the analysis. Upon final pathology 226 patients (11.4 %) had SLNs involvement. LVSI was diagnosed focal in 152 patients (7.7 %), whereas 357 patients (18.0 %) showed substantial LVSI. Focal or substantial LVSI rate were significantly higher in patients with positive SLNs when compared to patients without SLNs involvement (p < 0.0001). On overall patient-based analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of LVSI for sentinel lymph node metastases were 73 %, 80 %, 32 %, and 96 %, respectively. The 3-year multivariate analysis of recurrence-free survival showed that only the presence of substantial LVSI, and grade 3 disease were associated with relapse. Neither positive sentinel lymph node, deep myometrial infiltration, nor age at surgery were statistically significant. In patients having undergone sentinel node biopsy, positive LVSI demonstrated moderate sensitivity and reasonable specificity in detecting SLN involvement. LVSI positivity does not correlate with nodal involvement. The presence of substantial LVSI remains a strong independent risk factor for recurrence, indicating a role for potential hematogenous dissemination in patients with early-stage disease.

Single-Port Hysterectomy (R-SPH) Using the Da Vinci SP System in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer

Patients with clinically confirmed endometrioid endometrial cancer at FIGO stage IA-IB were eligible for robotic single-port hysterectomy (R-SPH). Criteria included: well or moderately differentiated tumor grade (G1 or G2), sufficient vaginal access, uterine size under 12 weeks' gestation, adequate bone marrow, kidney, liver, and heart function, and an ECOG performance status of 2 or below. Exclusions applied to patients with significant cardiopulmonary disease, previous pelvic or abdominal radiation, or severe hip disease affecting positioning. Prior abdominal surgeries did not exclude patients from robotic surgery. Surgeries were performed using the Vinci Single-Site® system by a specialized team. Clinical data collected included age, BMI, FIGO stage, tumor grade, surgical margin status, and hospital stay duration. Operation times were divided into docking, console (surgical), and total operation times. Intraoperative assessments included complications, blood loss, hemoglobin changes, and transfusions if hemoglobin was ≤7 g/L. Postoperative complications were evaluated short- and long-term, including surgical, cardiac, and respiratory events.