The influence of selected immunohistochemical and clinical-pathological markers on the prognosis of patients with malignant uterine tumors

Abstract

Introduction: Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries, and its incidence has been increasing in recent decades. The prognosis of patients depends on a combination of clinical-pathological characteristics, and more recently, molecular indicators. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the selected prognostic markers – immunohistochemical (L1CAM, ER, PR) and classical (FIGO stage, grade, myometrial invasion, lymph node involvement, distant metastases) – on the survival of patients with endometrial carcinoma. Materials and methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed on 143 women with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer treated between 2014 and 2018. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment. Resected specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of L1CAM, ER, and PR. Data were statistically processed using a Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted to age. Results: L1CAM expression was detected in 14% of patients and was associated with shortened survival (HR ≈ 3.9). ER and PR positivity (89% and 85%, resp.) correlated with a more favorable prognosis (HR for ER positivity 0.21; PR 0.23). Classical factors such as higher grade, advanced FIGO stage, cervical and lymphovascular invasion, or presence in nodes were statistically associated with worse survival. An interesting finding was a significantly better prognosis in asymptomatic patients – the presence of symptoms increased the risk of death up to fourfold. Conclusion: L1CAM positivity and loss of hormone receptors are significant adverse prognostic factors. Their inclusion in routine immunohistochemical panel testing improves risk stratification and treatment personalization, which at the time of publication of this paper is already included in the updated ESGO-ESTRO-ESP 2025 guidelines. At the same time, it has been shown that the absence of symptoms at diagnosis is a favorable survival indicator. The results support further research into prognostic markers and their integration into clinical decision-making algorithms.