The effect of lymph-vascular space invasion on clinicopathologic features in patients with endometrial cance

Yoo, Won Sick; Hong, Jae Shik; Park, Sei Jin; Kwon, Yong Soon; Lee, In Ho; Kim, Tae Jin; Lee, Ki Heon; Shim, Jae Uk; Mok, Jung Eun; Lim, Kyung Taek

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) on clinicopathologic features and outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer.
METHODS
All women who were surgically treated for endometrial cancer at the Cheil General Hospital & Women's Healthcare Center between January 2000 and December 2003 were eligible. One hundred-forty one patients underwent retrospective review of medical record. Pathologic findings of LVSI were reviewed and divided in LVSI-positive group and LVSI-negative. Statistical analysis was performed by dBSTAT-4.
RESULTS
Fifty-five patients (39%) were LVSI-positive and eighty-six patients (61%) were LVSI-negative. LVSI-positive patients were statistically older than LVSI-negative. LVSI-positive patients had more abnormal cytology, poorer differentiation, larger tumor size (diameter>2 cm), more myometrial invasion. more pelvic nodal metastasis, more paraaortic nodal metastasis, and more advanced stage. There was no difference between the two groups in the percentage of patients with gravidity, parity, histologic types (endometrioid vs nonendometrioid).
CONCLUSION
LVSI-positive patients with endometrial cancer are generally older, consistent with more abnormal cytology, poorer differentiation, larger tumor size, more myometrial invasion, more lymph-node metastasis, and more advanced-stage disease. So, LVSI should be a consideration in appropriate treatment in endometrial cancer.