A prospective randomized comparison between laparoscopic and laparotomic approaches in women with early stage endometrial cancer: a focus on the quality of life.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the quality of life (QoL) in women with early stage endometrial cancer treated with 2 different surgical approaches. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-four women with clinical stage I endometrial cancer were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial design and treated with laparoscopic or laparotomic approach. Another 40 women matched for demographic characteristics were studied as controls. In patients, before and after surgery, and in their matched controls, QoL was evaluated by using the Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36) and the climacteric symptoms using the Kupperman Index (KI). RESULTS: After randomization, no difference was detected in data recorded between the groups. At entry, QoL was similar in both treatment groups but significantly (P < .05) worse in comparison with controls. Throughout the study, QoL was significantly (P < .05) higher in laparoscopic group versus laparotomic group. After KI adjustment our data did not change. CONCLUSION: In early stage endometrial cancer, the laparoscopic approach provides significant benefits compared with laparotomy in terms of QoL.