[Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy in patients with endometrial carcinoma; no effect on length of survival in retrospective study in the Southeastern Netherlands].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, the Netherlands.


METHODS
An assessment was made of referral, survival in relation to patient factors and postoperative radiotherapy treatment, in 422 patients registered in the Eindhoven Cancer Registry between January 1975 and December 1984 with carcinoma of the endometrium.


RESULTS
Half the patients (54%) were referred for postoperative radiotherapy, patients over 70 years old less frequently (p = 0.004), patients with deeply infiltrating tumours (p < 0.001) or tumours with poor grade of differentiation (p = 0.03) more frequently. The referral percentages varied between 36% for patients with well differentiated superficial tumours and 83% for patients with poorly differentiated tumours with deep infiltration. Age, postoperative tumour stage and depth of infiltration for patients under 60 showed a statistically significant association with overall survival. A benefit from postoperative radiotherapy with respect to survival could not be established.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that the variation in referral is also due to differences of opinion concerning appropriate treatment between the referring gynaecologists. This study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect from postoperative radiotherapy. This should be confirmed in a prospective study.
van Putten
W L
WL
Dr. Daniel den Hoed Kliniek, afd. Statistiek, Rotterdam.
Lybeert
M L
ML
Brölmann
H A
HA
Klinkhamer
P J
PJ
Coebergh
J W
JW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
Adjuvante postoperatieve radiotherapie bij patiënten met endometriumcarcinoom; geen effect op overlevingsduur bij retrospectief onderzoek in Zuidoost-Nederland.