Ovarian Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

Is levonorgestrel intrauterine system effective for treatment of early endometrial cancer? Report of four cases and review of the literature.

Dhar KK, NeedhiRajan T, Koslowski M, Woolas RP

Department of Gynaecology, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth PO3 6AD, UK.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine progesterone therapy potentially provides a simple alternative treatment for women with Stage I Grade I endometrial cancers who are at high risk for surgery. The case histories of four women with early endometrial cancer primarily treated with levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena) are reported and the literature reviewed. CASES: Four women had Stage I grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma with positive progesterone receptor. All were assessed to be in American Society of anaesthesiologists risk class IV. After insertion of mirena intrauterine system, one woman (25%) had complete histological regression of disease within 6 months. One of three women who did not respond to treatment subsequently had a vaginal hysterectomy, which showed endometrial cancer with superficial myometrial invasion. CONCLUSION: This report raises doubts about the effectiveness of intrauterine progesterone therapy as a definitive alternative for the treatment of early endometrial cancer.

Published 9 June 2005 in Gynecol Oncol, 97(3): 924-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Ovarian Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.