Prognostic significance of molecular classification in high-risk endometrial cancer patients undergoing sentinel lymph node mapping
The adoption of selective sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a viable alternative to lymphadenectomy, along with the redefinition of nodal risk groups based on molecular classification, has significantly changed the management of early-stage, high-risk preoperative endometrial cancer. A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted under the auspices of the Spanish Gynecologic Oncology Group to evaluate recurrence rates and oncologic outcomes in patients stratified by molecular risk. Three groups were compared: SLNB alone (G1), SLNB combined with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy (G2), and pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy without SLNB (G3). The primary endpoint was recurrence rate; secondary endpoints included disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), recurrence patterns. A total of 221 patients from 14 centers were included, with a median follow-up of 24.4 months (IQR 17-42). Forty-four patients (19.9 %) experienced recurrence. Relapse rates were 15.4 % in G1, 15.8 % in G2, and 22.2 % in G3 (p = 0.479). DFS rates were 84.6 % in G1, 84.1 % in G2, and 77.8 % in G3 (p = 0.56). OS rates were 94.2 %, 90.9 %, and 92.6 %, respectively (p = 0.651). Among the 44 patients with documented recurrence, seven had nodal recurrences, with only two occurring in the group managed with SLNB alone. In this study, patients with early-stage, high-risk preoperative endometrial cancer-classified by molecular subgroups-showed no significant differences in relapse rates, disease-free survival, or overall survival across the three management strategies. Further prospective studies with longer follow-up are warranted to validate these preliminary findings.
