Residual carcinoma in the surgical specimen of patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma undergoing preoperative radiation therapy. A study of 80 patients and a literature review.

Controversy continues to surround the significance of residual endometrial adenocarcinoma in the uterus following radiation therapy. Eighty patients with FIGO stage IA, IB, and II endometrial adenocarcinoma treated by preoperative radiotherapy were studied. No correlation was noted between the histologic grade of the lesion and the stage of disease. The frequency and the site of residual carcinoma were not related to the stage of disease but less-differentiated tumors persisted more frequently than grade I lesions. The modality of preoperative radiotherapy did not affect the frequency of residual tumor. Residual carcinoma within the uterus had no effect on the site or frequency of recurrence nor on patient survival.