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The Journal of International Advanced... Jun 2023The aim of our study was to report rates of facial nerve palsy and residual tumor following surgical intervention and subsequent tumor recurrence in patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The aim of our study was to report rates of facial nerve palsy and residual tumor following surgical intervention and subsequent tumor recurrence in patients with endolymphatic sac tumors. A systematic literature review of preoperative assessment and surgical management is also included. Studies including patient/s affected by sporadic or von Hippel-Lindau disease related endolymphatic sac tumors, reporting levels of facial nerve function, residual and recurrence pathology following a surgical procedure, were considered. Data were combined for proportional meta-analysis, and the selected studies' methodological quality was also evaluated. Overall 34 papers, including 202 subjects (209 cases of endolymphatic sac tumors) were analyzed. Pooled proportion rate (95% CI) of overall facial nerve palsy was 39.7% (28.2-51.9) and residual tumor was 16.5% (10.3-23.7) after surgical procedure. Pooled proportion rate (95% CI) of tumor recurrence was 14.0% (9.7-19.3) during a mean follow-up period of 49.7 months (8-136). Our results showed that preoperative facial nerve function is impaired in almost 30% of patients with endolymphatic sac tumors. Surgical management of endolymphatic sac tumor may cause a worsening of facial nerve function in a low percentage of treated subjects. Residual and/or recurrence of endolymphatic sac tumors are not rare events, and follow-up strategies should be designed accordingly.
Topics: Humans; Endolymphatic Sac; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm, Residual; von Hippel-Lindau Disease; Ear Neoplasms; Bone Neoplasms; Facial Paralysis
PubMed: 37272644
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2023.22957 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2022With an estimated 570,000 new cases reported globally in 2018, and increasing numbers of new cases in countries without established human papillomavirus (HPV)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With an estimated 570,000 new cases reported globally in 2018, and increasing numbers of new cases in countries without established human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. The majority of global disease burden (around 85%) is in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), with estimates of cervical cancer being the second most common cancer in women in such regions. As it commonly affects younger women, cervical cancer has the greatest impact on years of life lost (YLL) and adverse socioeconomic outcomes compared to all other cancers in women. Management of cervical cancer depends on tumour stage. Radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy is the standard primary treatment modality for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (2019) 1B1 to 1B3 disease. However, for larger primary tumours, radical hysterectomy is less commonly recommended. This is mainly due to a high incidence of unfavourable histopathological parameters, which require adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) (chemotherapy given with radiotherapy treatment). CCRT is the standard of care and is widely used as first-line treatment for cervical cancer considered to be not curable with surgery alone (i.e.those with locally advanced disease). However, a sizable cohort of women managed with primary CCRT will have residual disease within the cervix following treatment. Debulking' hysterectomy to remove (debulk) the primary tumour in locally advanced disease, prior to CCRT, may be an alternative management strategy, avoiding the potential need for surgery for residual cervical disease following CCRT, which may be more extensive, or have increased morbidity due to CCRT. However, this strategy may subject more women to unnecessary surgery and its inherent risks.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and harms of debulking hysterectomy (simple or radical) followed by chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) versus CCRT alone for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
We systematically searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2021, Issue 4), MEDLINE via Ovid (1946 to 12 April 2021) and Embase via Ovid (1980 to 12 April 2021). We also searched other registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists up to 12 April 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs or non-randomised studies (NRSs) comparing debulking hysterectomy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone for locally advanced FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical malignancy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We applied Cochrane methodology, with two review authors independently assessing whether potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. We planned to apply standard Cochrane methodological procedures to analyse data and risk of bias.
MAIN RESULTS
We did not find any evidence for or against debulking hysterectomy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer. We did not identify any studies assessing the validity of debulking hysterectomy for these women. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence for or against debulking hysterectomy followed by CCRT versus CCRT alone for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer.
Topics: Chemoradiotherapy; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasm, Residual; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 36111784
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012246.pub2 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jan 2023The standard treatment approach in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is exclusive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (RTCT). The risk of local residual disease... (Review)
Review
The standard treatment approach in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is exclusive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (RTCT). The risk of local residual disease after six months from RTCT is about 20-30%. It is directly related to relapse risk and poor survival, such as in patients with recurrent cervical cancer. This systematic review aims to describe studies investigating salvage surgery's role in persistent/recurrent disease in LACC patients who underwent definitive RTCT. Studies were eligible for inclusion when patients had LACC with radiologically suspected or histologically confirmed residual disease after definitive RTCT, diagnosed with post-treatment radiological workup or biopsy. Information on complications after salvage surgery and survival outcomes had to be reported. The methodological quality of the articles was independently assessed by two researchers with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Following the recommendations in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, we systematically searched the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Medline, and Medscape databases in May 2022. We applied no language or geographical restrictions but considered only English studies. We included studies containing data about postoperative complications and survival outcomes. Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and all were retrospective observational studies. A total of 601 patients were analyzed concerning the salvage surgery in LACC patients for persistent/recurrent disease after RTCT treatment. Overall, 369 (61.4%) and 232 (38.6%) patients underwent a salvage hysterectomy (extrafascial or radical) and pelvic exenteration (anterior, posterior, or total), respectively. Four hundred and thirty-nine (73%) patients had histologically confirmed the residual disease in the salvage surgical specimen, and 109 patients had positive margins (overall range 0-43% of the patients). The risk of severe (grade ≥ 3) postoperative complications after salvage surgery is 29.8% (range 5-57.5%). After a median follow-up of 38 months, the overall RR was about 32% with an overall death rate of 40% after hysterectomy or pelvic exenteration with or without lymphadenectomy. There is heterogeneity between the studies both in their design and results, therefore the effect of salvage surgery on survival and recurrence cannot be adequately estimated. Future homogeneous studies with an appropriately selected population are needed to analyze the safety and efficacy of salvage hysterectomy or pelvic exenteration in patients with residual tumors after definitive RTCT.
Topics: Female; Humans; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Hysterectomy; Chemoradiotherapy; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 36837394
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59020192 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2019Radical hysterectomy is one of the standard treatments for stage Ia2 to IIa cervical cancer. Bladder dysfunction caused by disruption of the pelvic autonomic nerves is a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Radical hysterectomy is one of the standard treatments for stage Ia2 to IIa cervical cancer. Bladder dysfunction caused by disruption of the pelvic autonomic nerves is a common complication following standard radical hysterectomy and can affect quality of life significantly. Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy is a modified radical hysterectomy, developed to permit resection of oncologically relevant tissues surrounding the cervical lesion, while preserving the pelvic autonomic nerves.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy in women with stage Ia2 to IIa cervical cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 4), MEDLINE via Ovid (1946 to May week 2, 2018), and Embase via Ovid (1980 to 2018, week 21). We also checked registers of clinical trials, grey literature, reports of conferences, citation lists of included studies, and key textbooks for potentially relevant studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy compared to standard radical hysterectomy for women with early stage cervical cancer (stage Ia2 to IIa).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We applied standard Cochrane methodology for data collection and analysis. Two review authors independently selected potentially relevant RCTs, extracted data, evaluated risk of bias of the included studies, compared results and resolved disagreements by discussion or consultation with a third review author, and assessed the certainty of evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 1332 records as a result of the search (excluding duplicates). Of the 26 studies that potentially met the review criteria, we included four studies involving 205 women; most of the trials had unclear risks of bias. We identified one ongoing trial.The analysis of overall survival was not feasible, as there were no deaths reported among women allocated to standard radical hysterectomy. However, there were two deaths in among women allocated to the nerve-sparing technique. None of the included studies reported rates of intermittent self-catheterisation over one month following surgery. We could not analyse the relative effect of the two surgical techniques on quality of life due to inconsistent data reported. Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy reduced postoperative bladder dysfunctions in terms of a shorter time to postvoid residual volume of urine ≤ 50 mL (mean difference (MD) -13.21 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) -24.02 to -2.41; 111 women; 2 studies; low-certainty evidence) and lower volume of postvoid residual urine measured one month following operation (MD -9.59 days; 95% CI -16.28 to -2.90; 58 women; 2 study; low-certainty evidence). There were no clear differences in terms of perioperative complications (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.24 to 1.26; 180 women; 3 studies; low-certainty evidence) and disease-free survival (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.00 to 106.95; 86 women; one study; very low-certainty evidence) between the comparison groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy may lessen the risk of postoperative bladder dysfunction compared to the standard technique, but the certainty of this evidence is low. The very low-certainty evidence for disease-free survival and lack of information for overall survival indicate that the oncological safety of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for women with early stage cervical cancer remains unclear. Further large, high-quality RCTs are required to determine, if clinically meaningful differences of survival exist between these two surgical treatments.
Topics: Autonomic Nervous System; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Organ Sparing Treatments; Pelvis; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Urinary Bladder; Urination Disorders; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 30746689
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012828.pub2 -
PloS One 2017The objective of this systematic review was to conduct a more comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis of original studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this systematic review was to conduct a more comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis of original studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) versus cold-knife conization (CKC) in conservative surgical treatment of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) for women who have not completed childbearing.
METHODS
Systematic searches were conducted in the PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify all potential studies involving patients with ACIS treated with LEEP versus CKC published until December 2015.
RESULTS
Eighteen retrospective studies were included in this systematic review. All the 18 included studies reported the rate of positive margins, and the results of the individual studies varied. The positive margins were 44% (267/607) after LEEP and 29% (274/952) after CKC. The pooled meta-analysis exhibited significantly different outcome (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.34-1.80, P<0.00001) without significant heterogeneity (P = 0.34). The residual rate following LEEP was 9.1% (17/186) and 11% (39/350) after CKC in re-cone or hysterectomy cases. Recurrent ACIS following LEEP was reported in 10 of 142 (7.0%) cases compared to 10 of 177 (5.6%) cases following CKC. There were no significant differences in the residual rate (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.60-1.72, P = 0.95) or recurrence rate (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.46-2.79; P = 0.79) between the two procedures.
CONCLUSIONS
The present systematic review demonstrates that both LEEP and CKC are safe and effective for the conservative treatment of ACIS. LEEP appears to be as equally effective as CKC regarding the residual and recurrence rates. Due to the findings showing that LEEP achieves comparable oncologic outcomes with fewer obstetric complications to that of CKC, LEEP may be the preferred option in patients whose fertility preservation is important. However, further prospective studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are needed to establish the superiority of either procedure.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma in Situ; China; Conization; Cryosurgery; Electrosurgery; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Hysterectomy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 28125627
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170587 -
Cancer Control : Journal of the Moffitt... 2021There is currently no consensus on optimal management of patients with primary or recurrent non-resectable/residual retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS). The objective of this...
BACKGROUND
There is currently no consensus on optimal management of patients with primary or recurrent non-resectable/residual retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS). The objective of this study was to document the outcomes of patients with primary or recurrent non-resectable/residual RPS treated in our center with definitive radiotherapy (RT) and to perform a systematic review on the topic.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of consecutive RPS patients treated in our center between 2000 and 2019 was performed. All consecutive patients who underwent definitive conformal RT with image guidance for primary or recurrent non-resectable or macroscopically residual RPS were included. Additionally, a systematic review compliant with the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was performed.
RESULTS
The study enrolled 14 patients who met the aforementioned criteria. Data on clinicopathological characteristics, RT and response to treatment were assessed. RT allowed achieving prolonged local control of the disease, i.e. no local progression of the disease for more than 12 months after RT in 10 patients. Local control lasted more than 24 months in 6 cases, with minimal or no toxicity. A systemic review of 11 studies revealed concordance of our results with previous reports of primary or recurrent non-resectable/residual RPS.
CONCLUSIONS
RT provided satisfactory local disease control with acceptable treatment tolerance in patients with primary or recurrent non-resectable/residual RPS and represents a valuable treatment modality in the selected group of patients. Additional RT modalities i.e. BT, particle therapy, MRI-guided RT, or GRID/Lattice RT may be introduced to improve local control and further minimize toxicity.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm, Residual; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Sarcoma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33567904
DOI: 10.1177/1073274820983028 -
Annals of Hematology Apr 2016This study aimed to systematically review the prognostic value of pretransplant (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to systematically review the prognostic value of pretransplant (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma treated with autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). MEDLINE was systematically searched for appropriate studies. Included studies were methodologically appraised. Results of individual studies were meta-analyzed, if possible. Eleven studies, comprising a total of 745 refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma patients who underwent FDG-PET before autologous SCT, were included. The overall methodological quality of these studies was moderate. The proportion of pretransplant FDG-PET positive patients ranged between 25 and 65.2 %. Progression-free survival ranged between 0 and 52 % in pretransplant FDG-PET positive patients, and between 55 and 85 % in pretransplant FDG-PET negative patients. Overall survival ranged between 17 and 77 % in pretransplant FDG-PET positive patients, and between 78 and 100 % in FDG-PET negative patients. Based on five studies that provided sufficient data for meta-analysis, pooled sensitivity and specificity of pretransplant FDG-PET in predicting treatment failure (i.e., either progressive, residual, or relapsed disease) were 67.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 58.2-75.3 %) and 70.7 % (95 % CI 64.2-76.5 %), respectively. Based on two studies that provided sufficient data for meta-analysis, pooled sensitivity and specificity of pretransplant FDG-PET in predicting death during follow-up were 74.4 % (95 % CI 58.8-86.5 %) and 58.0 % (95 % CI 49.3-66.3 %), respectively. In conclusion, the moderate quality evidence suggests pretransplant FDG-PET to have value in predicting outcome in refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with autologous SCT. Nevertheless, a considerable proportion of pretransplant FDG-PET positive patients remains disease free and a considerable proportion of pretransplant FDG-PET negative patients develops disease relapse after autologous SCT.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cohort Studies; Combined Modality Therapy; Disease Progression; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Fluorine Radioisotopes; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Neoplasm, Residual; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prognosis; Radiopharmaceuticals; Recurrence; Salvage Therapy; Sensitivity and Specificity; Survival Analysis; Transplantation, Autologous; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26931115
DOI: 10.1007/s00277-016-2619-9 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Sep 2021Endometrial cancer uncommonly presents at an advanced stage and little prospective evidence exists to guide the management thereof. We aimed to summarize the evidence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Endometrial cancer uncommonly presents at an advanced stage and little prospective evidence exists to guide the management thereof. We aimed to summarize the evidence about primary cytoreductive surgery in the treatment of advanced stage endometrial cancer.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to September 11, 2020, using search terms representing the themes "endometrial cancer," "advanced stage," and "primary cytoreductive surgery."
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We included full-text, English reports that included ≥10 patients undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced stage endometrial cancer and that reported on the outcomes of primary cytoreductive surgery and survival rates based on the residual disease burden.
METHODS
Two reviewers independently screened the studies and with disagreements between the reviewers resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted using a standardized form. The percentage of cases reaching maximal (no gross residual disease) and optimal (<1 cm or <2 cm residual disease) cytoreduction were assessed by summing binomials proportions, and the association with survival was assessed using an inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis of logarithmic hazard ratios.
RESULTS
From 1219 unique records identified, 34 studies were selected for inclusion. Studies consisted of single or multi-institutional cohorts of patients collected over a period of 6 to 24 years and included various mixes of histologies (endometrioid, serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma) and disease stages (III or IV). In a meta-analysis of the extent of residual disease after primary cytoreductive surgery, we found that 52.1% of cases reached no gross residual disease status (n=18 studies; 1329 patients) and 75% reached <1 cm residual disease status (n=27 studies; 2343 patients). The proportion of cytoreduction for both thresholds was lower for studies of stage IV vs stage III to IV disease (41.4% vs 69.8% for no gross residual disease; 63.2% vs 82.2% for <1 cm residual disease) but did not vary notably by histology. In a meta-analysis of the reported hazard ratios, submaximal (any gross residual disease vs no gross residual disease) and suboptimal (≥1 cm vs <1 cm) cytoreduction thresholds were associated with worse progression-free survival (submaximal hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-3.21; I=68%; suboptimal hazard ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-3.37; I=63%) and overall survival rates (submaximal hazard ratio, 2.57; 95% confidence interval, 2.13-3.10; I=1%; suboptimal hazard ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 2.20-3.11; I=15%). Sensitivity analyses limited to high-quality studies demonstrated consistent results.
CONCLUSION
Among cases of advanced stage endometrial cancer undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery, a significant proportion of patients are left with residual disease, which is associated with worse survival outcomes. Further investigations about the roles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and primary cytoreductive surgery in prospective trials is warranted in this population.
Topics: Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures; Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Neoplasm, Residual; Progression-Free Survival; Survival Rate
PubMed: 33957111
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.04.254 -
Neuroendocrinology 2022The NETest is a standardized and reproducible liquid biopsy for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). It evaluates the expression of 51 NET genes by real-time polymerase chain...
The NETest is a standardized and reproducible liquid biopsy for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). It evaluates the expression of 51 NET genes by real-time polymerase chain reaction, providing an accurate molecular profile of the neoplasm. Diagnostic utility of NETest has been widely demonstrated, while its role in predicting prognosis and treatment response is less studied. This systematic review aims to collect and discuss the available evidence on the prognostic and predictive role of NETest, trying to answer 3 questions, frequently raised in clinical practice. Is NETest able to differentiate stable from progressive disease? Increased NETest levels (at least >40%) correlate with disease progression. Is NETest able to predict tumor progression and tumor response to treatment? Some studies demonstrated that the baseline NETest score >33-40% could predict tumor progression. Moreover, NETest performed after treatment (as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy) could predict treatment response also before radiological findings, since the decrease or stability of NETest score predicts tumor response to treatment. Is NETest able to evaluate tumor recurrence risk after surgery? NETest can predict surgical treatment outcome detecting minimal residual disease after radical surgery, which is characterized by a lower but positive NETest score (20-40%), while a higher score (>33-40%) is associated with nonradical surgery. In conclusion, in addition to its demonstrated diagnostic role, this systematic review highlights the efficacy of NETest to assess disease status at the moment of the NETest execution and to predict tumor recurrence after surgery. The efficacy for other applications should be proven by additional studies.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Humans; Liquid Biopsy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Prognosis
PubMed: 34515175
DOI: 10.1159/000518873 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2018Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide and most commonly occurs after the menopause (75%) (globocan.iarc.fr). About 319,000 new cases were... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide and most commonly occurs after the menopause (75%) (globocan.iarc.fr). About 319,000 new cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2012. Endometrial cancer is commonly considered as a potentially 'curable cancer,' as approximately 75% of cases are diagnosed before disease has spread outside the uterus (FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage I). The overall five-year survival for all stages is about 86%, and, if the cancer is confined to the uterus, the five-year survival rate may increase to 97%. The majority of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer have early-stage disease, leading to a good prognosis after hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), with or without radiotherapy. However, women may have early physiological and psychological postmenopausal changes, either pre-existing or as a result of oophorectomy, depending on age and menopausal status at the time of diagnosis. Lack of oestrogen can cause hot flushes, night sweats, genital tract atrophy and longer-term adverse effects, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. These changes may be temporarily managed by using oestrogens, in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, there is a theoretical risk of promoting residual tumour cell growth and increasing cancer recurrence. Therefore, this is a potential survival disadvantage in a woman who has a potentially curable cancer. In premenopausal women with endometrial cancer, treatment induces early menopause and this may adversely affect overall survival. Additionally, most women with early-stage disease will be cured of their cancer, making longer-term quality of life (QoL) issues more pertinent. Following bilateral oophorectomy, premenopausal women may develop significant and debilitating menopausal symptoms, so there is a need for information about the risk and benefits of taking HRT, enabling women to make an informed decision, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using HRT for their individual circumstances.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the risks and benefits of HRT (oestrogen alone or oestrogen with progestogen) for women previously treated for endometrial cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2017, Issue 5), MEDLINE (1946 to April, week 4, 2017) and Embase (1980 to 2017, week 18). We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists of review articles.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), in all languages, that examined the efficacy of symptom relief and the safety of using HRT in women treated for endometrial cancer, where safety in this situation was considered as not increasing the risk of recurrence of endometrial cancer above that of women not taking HRT.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed whether potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 2190 unique records, evaluated the full text of seven studies and included one study with 1236 participants. This study reported tumour recurrence in 2.3% of women in the oestrogen arm versus 1.9% of women receiving placebo (risk ratio (RR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 2.50; very low-certainty evidence). The study reported one woman in the HRT arm (0.16%) and three women in the placebo arm (0.49%) who developed breast cancer (new malignancy) during follow-up (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.32 to 2.01; 1236 participants, 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). The study did not report on symptom relief, overall survival or progression-free survival for HRT versus placebo. However, they did report the percentage of women alive with no evidence of disease (94.3% in the HRT group and 95.6% in the placebo group) and the percentage of women alive irrespective of disease progression (95.8% in the HRT group and 96.9% in the placebo group) at the end of the 36 months' follow-up. The study did not report time to recurrence and it was underpowered due to closing early. The authors closed it as a result of the publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, which, at that time, suggested that risks of exogenous hormone therapy outweighed benefits and had an impact on study recruitment. No assessment of efficacy was reported.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to inform women considering HRT after treatment for endometrial cancer. The available evidence (both the single RCT and non-randomised evidence) does not suggest significant harm, if HRT is used after surgical treatment for early-stage endometrial cancer. There is no information available regarding use of HRT in higher-stage endometrial cancer (FIGO stage II and above). The use of HRT after endometrial cancer treatment should be individualised, taking account of the woman's symptoms and preferences, and the uncertainty of evidence for and against HRT use.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Early Termination of Clinical Trials; Endometrial Neoplasms; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Quality of Life
PubMed: 29763969
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008830.pub3