Brain metastases from early stage endometrial carcinoma: a challenging issue

Abstract

Brain involvement in endometrial carcinoma is a rare event and is usually associated with advanced stage, poorly differentiated tumors, widespread disease and a very poor prognosis. In high-grade endometrial carcinoma with vascular invasion, the median time to metastasis development appears to be reduced. We present two cases of endometrial carcinoma, both peculiar due to the early stage of the primary tumour. In these two patients, the short time between primary treatment and brain involvement, the presence of a single symptomatic metastasis and prompt diagnosis lead to subsequent successful treatment. These cases suggest that brain metastasis in endometrial cancer can be associated with low-risk disease. The usually poor prognosis may be improved in cases of single brain metastases. Given the rarity of this condition, it is difficult to identify the best treatment option and so further research is needed in order to better understand the dynamics of disease spread and improve survival rates in these patients.