Lymph node removal can benefit endometrial cancer patients

According to the results of a new study, women suffering from endometrial cancer may have better survival chances if the malignant lymph nodes-small circular shape organ of the immune system distributed widely throughout the body-are removed.

Women who undergo surgery to remove both sets of lymph nodes were found to have 56 percent better survival chances compared to those who had only pelvic lymph nodes removed. On the other hand, the researchers found that removal of both sets of lymph nodes appeared to cast no impact on those who had a minimal risk of cancer recurrence.

The risk of dying of cancer declined to 52 percent for women who received the complete treatment-removal of both sets of lymph nodes as well as chemotherapy-compared to 41 percent for women who did not receive the complete procedure.

The study suggests that those at medium to high risk of cancer recurrence should undergo surgery for removal of both pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. And additional procedure, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may further better their survival chances.

Combined pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy is recommended as treatment for patients with endometrial carcinoma of intermediate or high risk of recurrence.

Endometrial cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the uterus. It is also called uterine cancer. It usually occurs in post-menopausal women mainly due to hormonal imbalance.

The most common symptom of the disease is abnormal bleeding from vagina after menopause. Other symptoms may include weight loss, anemia caused by chronic loss of blood, and lower abdominal pain.