Lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer treatment – indications and limitations

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present indications and limitations of pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients suffering from endometrial cancer.
Materials and methods: Prospective analysis of 143 patients operated in Gynecological Department of District Hospital in Rzeszow because of endometrial cancer was performed. The number of taken nodes was analyzed according to Body Mass Index (BMI). Statistical analysis was performed with Kuskall Wallis test, U Mann-Whitney test and R Spearmann correlation ratio.
Results: 75 of 143 patients were qualified to pelvic lymphadenectomy. In 44 patients it was performed without any limitations, in 11 patients it was limited, and in 20 patients it was waived. Obesity was the most frequent reason made lymphadenectomy limited (3/11) and waived (9/20). The differences between mean BMI in groups with lymphadenectomy successfully performed, limited and waived were statistically significant.
Conclusions: Lymphadenectomy is an accepted element of surgical treatment of endometrial cancer. Obesity is the main factor limiting the range of the procedure.