Trial to assess endometrial cancer treatment

The University of Queensland have received a $3.1 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to conduct a trial on early-stage endometrial cancer.

Known as ENDO3, the trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness, benefit and risks of sentinel lymph node removal. The trial will specifically look to reduce the potential for any unnecessary treatment that patients with endometrial cancer face.

The project is headed by Research Director Professor Andreas Obermair from the university’s Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research, examining sentinel lymph node removal during early-stage endometrial cancer surgery.

“The standard treatment is a hysterectomy and lymph node dissection, despite the effectiveness of this second part of the surgery not being proven,” Obermair said.

“Doctors use lymph node dissection to determine the extent of the disease, but there is no evidence of patient benefit.

“In fact, it may put the patient at risk by prolonging the operation and anaesthetic time and delay their recovery.

“ENDO3 already has support from the international gynaecological oncology community because it’s recognised the trial results will support better treatment decisions.”

Over five years, the ENDO3 team plans to randomise 760 patients with stage one endometrial cancer to surgery with or without sentinel lymph node dissection. The trial aims to then determine the probability of disease-free survival at four years.

At present, 158 patients are enrolled, with 16 accredited surgeons attached to the trial.

The trial has also been supported by the Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation, GC RED Society, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, RBWH Foundation and Wesley Medical Research.

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