Port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgical staging of endometrial cancer: a systematic review of the published and unpublished data

Port-site metastases, also called trocar-site metastasis, have been described after laparoscopic surgery for non-gynecological and gynecological cancers. The aim of this review was to obtain evidence for port-site metastases after laparoscopic surgical staging of endometrial cancer. A systematic search of published and unpublished cases of port-site metastases after laparoscopic staging of endometrial cancer was conducted. All the authors responsible for correspondence were contacted to obtain any missing data. The patients' characteristics and oncologic, surgical, and safety data were recorded and analyzed. Twelve cases of port-site metastases were identified and examined. In 4 cases they were "isolated," that is, recurrence without association with peritoneal carcinomatosis, whereas in 8 cases they were "nonisolated." The port-site metastases did not occur as a result of trocar site localization or dimension. No univocal strategy to prevent port-site metastases was adopted. Among patients with nonisolated port-site metastases, an aggressive histologic condition and a high grade were found in 3 of 6 patients and in 3 of 5 patients, respectively. Among patients with isolated port-site metastases, an early-stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma G2 endometrial cancer and a stage IIB G2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma were described in 3 of 4 patients and in only 1 case, respectively. All the patients with nonisolated port-site metastases died of disease. Similarly, among patients with isolated port-site metastases, only 1 was alive and free of disease after 10 months from recurrence diagnosis. Port-site metastases of endometrial cancer are an entity rarely reported but probably the expression of an aggressive disease. The available data do not allow us to draw conclusions or suggestions for their prevention and the treatment.