Stage IA endometrial cancer recurrence around the ureter after laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery has become a standard treatment for early-stage endometrial cancer. Its outcomes are not inferior to those of open surgery, and it has a good prognosis. Thus, there have been a few studies on recurrence patterns in low-risk endometrial cancer. We described the case of a 45-year-old multiparous woman with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA, grade 1 endometrioid endometrial cancer, who was treated with laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. The patient developed isolated recurrence around the left ureter 27 months later, which was also laparoscopically resected. Pathologically, she had a low risk of recurrence; therefore, we had to review our surgical procedures. The findings of a recent study have led to the development of the theory that there is a laparoscopy-specific recurrence pattern. We discussed this recurrence pattern in relation to our patient's case and aimed that our findings will prompt to reconsider laparoscopic surgery in preventing tumor spread and recurrence in early-stage low risk endometrial cancer.