Abstract
Background
Many oncologists regard endometrial cancer as a relatively benign and easily treatable gynecologic tumor. Inadequate care can result in poor outcomes.
Methods
The authors review the epidemiology and pathology of the disease, and they compare disease characteristics and outcomes of FIGO staging with their own 11-year experience at a tertiary referral center.
Results
Patients referred to tertiary referral centers tend to present with more advanced stages of disease than those reported by FIGO, although the profile of histologic types is similar.
Conclusions
Prevention and early detection of endometrial cancer can minimize the impact of this disease. Complete staging and tumor removal including extrafascial hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and selective paraaortic lymphadenectomy are the cornerstones of surgical therapy.