The role of radiation therapy in uterine-confined endometrial carcinoma

The treatment of endometrial cancer begins with surgery, including total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, peritoneal lavage, and a consideration for lymph node evaluation. Selection of adjuvant therapy is based on an approximation of the risk of recurrence with features such as stage, tumor histology, lymphovascular space invasion, and patient age. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in patients with intermediate risk of recurrence is a matter of ongoing controversy. Several randomized trials indicate that adjuvant radiation therapy improves loco-regional control. However, the ideal form of radiation therapy in these patients continues to be under debate.