Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynaecological cancer. Current treatment of EC typically includes removal of the uterus and to determine the extent of the disease (removal of fallopian tubes, ovaries \& if required a lymph node dissection (surgical staging)). While lymph node dissection may be valuable to guide the need for adjuvant treatment (chemo or radiotherapy) after surgery, it has been a topic of controversy for the last 30 years. In some patients it causes morbidity, specifically lymphoedema. This recently has been replaced with sentinel node biopsy (SNB). It requires an injection of a dye into the cervix with specific equipment \& surgical dissection of the lymph node in which the dye first becomes visible. Despite this promising proposition \& similar to a lymph node dissection, the value to patients, cost effectiveness \& potential harms (e.g. lymphedema) of SNB compared to no-node dissection in EC has never been established. Aim: determine the value of SNB for patients, the healthcare system and exclude detriment to patients using a randomised approach 1:1. Stage 1 - 444 patients. Stage 2 additional 316 patients. Primary Outcome Stage 1: Proportion of participants returning to usual daily activities at 12 months from surgery using the EQ-5D which will determine when women in both groups can return to their usual activities. Primary Outcome Stage 2: Treatment non-inferiority as evaluated by disease-free survival status at 4.5 years post-surgery, as measured by the time interval between the date of randomisation and date of first recurrence. Confirmation of recurrent disease will be ascertained through clinical assessment, radiological work-up and/or histological results.
Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis is that SNB will not cause detriment to patients (lymphoedema, morbidity, loss of quality of life) and not increase costs compared to patients without a retroperitoneal node dissection. The secondary hypothesis is that disease-free survival in patients without retroperitoneal node dissection is not inferior to those receiving SNB. Aims: To determine the value of SNB for patients, the healthcare system and to exclude detriment to patients. Objectives: Primary Stage 1: To determine the recovery of participants (defined as incidence of adverse events, lower limb lymphoedema and health-related QOL) and to the healthcare system (cost) of Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) for the surgical treatment of endometrial cancer. Primary Stage 2: Compare disease-free survival at 4.5 years for participants randomised to receive hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with SNB compared to participants randomised to hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy without retroperitoneal node dissection. Secondary: * Compare patterns of recurrence and overall survival (OS) between the groups * Determine the cost-effectiveness of SNB * Compare Patient Reported Outcomes (PROMS) between the groups at 12 months from surgery * Compare Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) and Fear of Recurrence between the groups at 12 months from surgery * Compare perioperative outcomes (duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion requirements) and the incidence of intra- and postoperative adverse events within 12 months from surgery between the groups * Compare lower limb lymphoedema at 12 months after surgery * Compare the need for postoperative (adjuvant) treatments between groups * Determine the impact of body composition and frailty on survival, quality of life, lymphoedema, peri-, intra- and postoperative outcomes * Compare follow-up strategies (clinical vs symptom checklist) * Translational Research - Trans-ENDO 3 - biobanking strategy - Compare the Molecular profile at 12 months from surgery between the groups
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
760
Removal of uterus, tubes and ovaries with a sentinel node biopsy. A tracer dye (ICG) +/- Methylene Blue Dye is injected into the surroundings of the primary tumour, it is transported via local lymphatic channels towards the draining lymphatic basin, and the first node that the tracer reaches is called the "sentinel node". These one or two nodes are thought to be first involved with cancer spread.
Removal of uterus, tubes and ovaries without retroperitoneal node dissection
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGHospital Britanico
Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (caba), Argentina
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGChris O'Brien Lifehouse
Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
RECRUITINGLiverpool Hospital
Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
RECRUITINGThe Wesley Hospital
Auchenflower, Queensland, Australia
RECRUITINGBuderim Private Hospital
Buderim, Queensland, Australia
RECRUITINGNorth West Private Hospital
Everton Park, Queensland, Australia
RECRUITINGRoyal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Herston, Queensland, Australia
RECRUITINGMater Hospital
South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
RECRUITINGGold Coast University Hospital
Southport, Queensland, Australia
NOT_YET_RECRUITING...and 9 more locations
Stage 1: Return to usual activities
Proportion of participants returning to usual daily activities at 12 months from surgery using the EQ-5D which will determine when women in both groups can return to their usual activities.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Stage 2: Disease Free Survival
Compare disease-free survival for participants randomised to receive hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with SNB compared to participants randomised to hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy without retroperitoneal node dissection
Time frame: 4.5 years from surgery
Cost Effectiveness using QALYs using EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) Questionnaire
An assessment will be performed on the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society, and whether this represents a sound investment in terms of the improvement in quality of life. We will also measure the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained with the intervention and use this to undertake a cost-utility analysis. The QALY calculations will be based on health status measures for trial participants, with valuations of changes in health status and quality of life based on the EQ-5D
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Cost Effectiveness measuring Intervention costs
An assessment will be performed on the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Cost Effectiveness measuring GP and specialist consultations
An assessment will be performed on the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society, and whether this represents a sound investment in terms of the improvement in quality of life.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Cost Effectiveness measuring radiology and imaging requirements
An assessment will be performed on the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Cost Effectiveness measuring prescriptions and over the counter medicine requirements
An assessment will be performed on the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society, and whether this represents a sound investment in terms of the improvement in quality of life.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Cost Effectiveness measuring community and health service requirements and days off work and informal care required by family and friends using a combination of the Health Services Questionnaire and clinical files
An assessment will be performed on the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society, and whether this represents a sound investment in terms of the improvement in quality of life.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Cost Effectiveness: direct costs using a bottom-up approach by recording the volume of resource use in both groups of the trial, and then applying a unit cost to each component
Direct costs wukk be ibtained for smaples of participants, stratified by hospital, operation and outcome to assess the cost-effectiveness of TH + SNB relative to TH alone, calculated as the incremental cost per unit of improvement in functional outcome, measured in terms of the primary outcome. This will assess how much more money the proposed intervention will cost the health system and society.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Perioperative Outcomes: Adverse Events
Compare perioperative outcomes and the incidence of intra- and postoperative adverse events within 12 months from surgery between groups using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE version 5)
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Perioperative Outcomes: Length of Surgery
Compare the length of surgery between the two groups. This will be recorded in hh:mm on the surgery form.
Time frame: At time of surgery
Perioperative Outcomes: Blood Loss during Surgery
Compare the blood loss between the two groups during surgery. This will be recorded in ml.
Time frame: At time of surgery
Perioperative Outcomes: Blood Transfusion Requirements during Surgery
Compare the blood transfusion requirements between the two groups. This will be recorded in units and recorded on the Surgery Form and the Concomitant Medication Form.
Time frame: At time of surgery
Perioperative Outcomes: Length of Hospital Stay
Compare the length of hospital stay between the two groups. The duration will be measured in days. Date of surgery being day 0.
Time frame: At time of discharge from hospital following surgery
Health Related Quality of Life and Fear of Recurrence
Change in Quality of Life using Functional Assessment of Cancer General (FACT-EN), Fear of Recurrence and PROMS between baseline and 1 year after surgery
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Incidence of Lymphedema
Compare lower limb lymphedema between groups
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Adjuvant Treatment Requirements
Compare the need for postoperative (adjuvant) treatments between groups and evaluate the impact of SNB on clinical decisions regarding adjuvant treatment. Any chemotherapy or radiation therapy required will be recorded on specific chemotherapy or radiation forms. Chemotherapy will be recorded in mg received and number of doses required including start/end dates. Radiation treatment received will be recorded as total dose of Gy and how many fractions, including start and end dates.
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Value of Molecular Biomarkers
Translational Research - Compare Molecular profile from surgery between the groups that require adjuvant therapy for 24 months.
Time frame: 24 months from surgery
Value of Molecular Biomarkers
Translational Research - Compare the Molecular profile of Germline DNA at 12 months from surgery between the groups
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Value of Molecular Biomarkers
Translational Research - Compare the Molecular profile of Circulating Tumour DNA at 12 months from surgery between the groups
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Value of Molecular Biomarkers
Translational Research - Compare the Molecular profile of Plasma at 12 months from surgery between the groups
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Value of Molecular Biomarkers
Translational Research - Compare the Molecular profile of Serum at 12 months from surgery between the groups
Time frame: 12 months from surgery
Overall Survival
Compare overall survival for participants randomised to receive hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with SNB compared to participants randomised to hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy without retroperitoneal node dissection
Time frame: 4.5 years from surgery
Patterns of Recurrence - date and localization of 1st recurrence
Date and localization of 1st recurrence as confirmed histologically and/or radiologically - Compare these patterns of recurrences between the groups. These will also be adjudicated by an independent committee to ensure accuracy of documented recurrence
Time frame: 4.5 years from surgery
Impact of body composition (sarcopenia) on surgical complications, recovery and overall survival
Body mass measures are practical \& sensitive for predicting health risks \& outcomes. Sarcopenia is defined as loss of skeletal muscle mass \& strength. It's been found to be associated with procedure-related morbidity, survival in cancer patients and increased use of healthcare. The concurrent appearance of low muscle mass with high adiposity (sarcopenic obesity) is common in people with chronic diseases. The trial will determine the role sarcopenia has on participants pre-operatively (via CT images \& Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS - if available at site) \& postoperatively using the BIS in regard to survival in gynaecological malignancies, if it is a predictive factor for treatment adverse events \& participants tolerability of treatment \& compare diagnostic methods to determine medical fitness for surgery. BIS sends non-detectable electrical currents, at a range of frequencies through the body allowing precise measurement \& analysis of impedance to currents by extracellular fluid
Time frame: 4.5 years from surgery
Impact of frailty on surgical complications, recovery and overall survival
It has been reported consistently that frailty has a significant impact on the occurrence of adverse postoperative outcomes. Therefore, measuring frailty is important to estimate risks, determine the best treatment options, and to aid diagnosis and care planning. Frailty will be measured prior to surgery suing the validated tool - Frailty Phenotype. This may determine the impact frailty has on survival, quality of life, lymphedema, peri-, intra- and postoperative outcomes
Time frame: 4.5 years from surgery
Follow-Up Strategies
Current institutional \& clinical guidelines suggest patients need to be seen at regular follow up visits. The risk of developing a recurrence is higher within the initial period after surgery \& the majority of recurrences develop within those first 3 years. Participants will ideally be seen 3 monthly for the first 3 years \& 6 monthly until 4.5 years. The objective of follow up is that local recurrences from endometrial cancer are potentially curable. It helps to diagnose local recurrences as early as possible so that they are amenable for curative or effective palliative management. We will compare these clinical findings to a symptom checklist that will be completed by participants every 3 months from surgery until 4.5 years. This records patient reported symptoms that may indicate a recurrence. Comparing these findings should determine effective follow up strategies for this group of patients.
Time frame: 4.5 years from surgery
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