The role of postoperative irradiation in carcinoma of the endometrium

Abstract The role of adjunctive irradiation in the management of Stage I carcinoma of the endometrium is reviewed. Primary surgical management is accepted therapy. Less certain is the use, type, and timing of adjunctive irradiation. The data indicate that irradiation decreases the incidence of vaginal recurrence and improves survival. The type and timing of irradiation is uncertain; however, we favor intracavitary irradiation primarily, with external beam therapy added for the enlarged uterus, poorly differentiated histology, and myometrial invasion. An outline of the timing of intracavitary or external irradiation in the various clinical circumstances is included.