title: Identification of a high-risk subgroup in cytology-positive stage IIIA endometrial cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify a high-risk subgroup among patients with cytology-positive stage IIIA endometrial cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four stage IIIA endometrial cancer patients who were positive only on peritoneal cytology were divided into two groups based on the cytologic pattern of their peritoneal smears. In group A, malignant cell clusters had well-defined edges, while the tumor cell clusters had scalloped edges in group B. The prognostic significance of these findings was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The five-year disease-free survival rate was 97.5% in group A (n=40) versus 50% in group B (n = 14). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the cytologic pattern had an independent influence on survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive peritoneal cytology composed of malignant cell clusters with well-defined edges has no impact on survival. Only endometrial cancer patients who show tumor cell clusters with scalloped edges in peritoneal smears are worth considering for upstaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Diagnostic Cytology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yanoh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takeshima
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuzuku
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toyoda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hasumi
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors