Removal of Lymph Nodes may lead to Increase in Endometrial Cancer Survival Rate

Studies in Japan have shown that removing both the pelvic lymph nodes and the para-aortic lymph nodes can lead to a decrease in endometrial cancer recurrence. One study in particular had a sample size of 671 patients, with 328 of them at medium to high risk of having a recurrence, this subset of the group was also given additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The study showed no increase or decrease in mortality or recurrence for those participants with a low risk of recurrence in the first place, but for the medium to high risk patients who had both lymph nodes removed, there was a 56% decrease in mortality as compared to those who only had their pelvic lymph node removed. Doctors think this may be due to drainage from the pelvic area finding its way to the para-aortic lymph nodes, and the drainage from the cancerous area could lead to infection in the para-aortic lymph nodes.

I found this article interesting, because not only do I plan on going into oncology, but I also researched endometrial cancer last semester for the student lecture presentations, and found this research quite fascinating in accordance with what I learned last semester.

Link to Article

Maegan Griffith

VTPP 435-502