Why Routine Clinical Follow-up for Patients With Early Stage Endometrial Cancer Is Not Always Necessary: A Study on Women in South Wales

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the existing methods of follow-up in women who have undergone treatment of early endometrial carcinoma in South Wales and to assess if they are appropriate.DesignThis study used a retrospective analysis of follow-up data.SettingThis study was performed in the Virtual Gynaecological Oncology Centre, South Wales, United Kingdom.SampleThis study sample is composed of 552 women.MethodsData regarding follow-up were collected retrospectively from patient case notes and computerized data systems. Data were analyzed using the Pearson χ2 test, Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier curves.Main Outcome MeasuresThis study aimed to determine whether routine follow-up was beneficial in detecting disease recurrence and whether outcome was influenced by routine follow-up.ResultsBetween January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010, 552 women were treated for early stage endometrial carcinoma. The 5-year survival was 81%, and the 5-year progression-free survival was 77%. Of these 552 women, 81 (15%) developed a disease recurrence; the majority (61/81 [75%]) recurred within 3 years. The median survival was 35 months compared with 47 months in patients who did not develop a recurrence. Of the 81 patients, 73 (90%) were symptomatic and only 5 patients were truly asymptomatic at follow-up. The most important and significant prognostic factor was “recurrent disease” with overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.20; P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, 1.75–2.65) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.52; P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, 2.09–2.95). “Asymptomatic recurrence” was not an independent predictor of outcome.ConclusionsRoutine follow-up for early endometrial cancer is not beneficial for patients because most were symptomatic at the time of detection. It does not significantly improve the outcome. We propose altering the follow-up time regimen and adopting alternative follow-up strategies for women in South Wales.