Endometrial carcinoma in women under 40 years of age: incidence of ovarian carcinoma and ovarian metastasis

Abstract

Background. Patients under 40 years of age with endometrial carcinoma were compared with patients aged 40 years or more in terms of clinical and histopathological characteristics.

Methods. One hundred and fifty-three patients with endometrial carcinoma who had their initial treatment in our hospital between 1980 and 1996 were divided into two groups; those under 40 years of age (group A) and those 40 years or more (group B). They were compared in terms of clinical stage, histological differentiation, degree of myometrial invasion, existence of lymph-vascular invasion, incidence of ovarian carcinoma with endometrial carcinoma, incidence of ovarian metastasis, treatment methods, and prognosis.

Results. Fourteen patients (9.2%) were in group A and 139 patients (90.8%) in group B. There were no significant differences in the proportion of stage I patients in the two groups, but the proportion of stage IV patients was significantly higher in group A (P < 0.005). There were no significant differences in histological differentiation, degree of myometrial invasion, and the existence of lymph-vascular invasions. The incidence of ovarian carcinoma with endometrial carcinoma was 21.4% for group A and 2.2% for group B, being significantly higher in group A (P < 0.005). The incidence of simultaneous ovarian carcinoma with endometrial carcinoma was 14.2% for group A and 1.4% for group B, being significantly higher in group A (P < 0.05). The incidence of ovarian metastasis of endometrial carcinoma in groups A and B was 14.2% and 2.9% respectively, showing no significant difference. The incidence of either ovarian carcinoma with endometrial carcinoma or ovarian metastasis of endometrial carcinoma was significantly higher in group A (35.7%) than in group B (5%; P < 0.0005). There were no significant differences in the 5-year survival rates.

Conclusion. Women aged under 40 years had a significantly higher incidence of ovarian carcinoma associated with endometrial carcinoma and a significantly higher incidence of either ovarian carcinoma with endometrial carcinoma or metastasis of endometrial carcinoma to the ovary than women aged 40 years or more. The 5-year survival rate showed no difference between the groups.