Factors Predicting Pelvic Lymph Node Metastasis, Relapse, and Disease Outcome in Pattern C Endocervical Adenocarcinomas.

A pattern-based classification system has recently been proposed for invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma (EAC), which is predictive of the risk for lymph node metastases (LNM). The main utility of the system lies in separating cases with very low risk for LNM (pattern A) from those with higher risk (pattern B and C). Different growth patterns (GPs) are found in pattern C cases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GP on the behavior of pattern C EAC. By reevaluating 189 pattern C EACs, we documented 6 architectural GPs: diffuse destructive (DD), confluent (CON), extensive linear destructive (ELD), band-like lymphocytic infiltrate (BLL), solid (SOL), and micropapillary (MP). When an EAC had an appreciable second component (≤50%) the designation of a mixed EAC was used. We found 32 (17%) tumors to be DD, 23 (12%) CON, 27 (14%) ELD, 9 (5%) SOL, 7 (4%) BLL, and 7 (4%) micropapillary. A total of 84 (44%) EACs were mixed (DD+CON). All micropapillary EACs had LNM versus none of the patients with EAC with an ELD GP (P=0.002). Recurrent disease was seen in 44% of EACs with a DD GP, whereas 0% of EACs with BLL GP developed recurrent disease. Mixed (DD+CON) tumors had a significantly worse 6-year overall survival. This study demonstrated that not all pattern C EACs have an aggressive behavior. These patients should be treated with radical hysterectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy.