New Delhi, May 5
Molecular profiling can safely reduce radiotherapy for women with early-stage endometrial cancer while identifying those who would benefit from more intensive treatment, according to a study that marks a significant step forward in personalised cancer treatment.
Endometrial cancer is a type of gynaecological cancer, most often affecting women after menopause.
For women with high-intermediate-risk disease, adjuvant radiotherapy -- particularly vaginal brachytherapy (a form of internal radiotherapy delivered directly to the vaginal area) -- is commonly used after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
However, patients don't need it equally, and some may receive more treatment than necessary, exposing them to potential side effects without added benefit.
The study showed that molecular profiling -- a method that examines the genetic and biological features of a tumour can guide clinical decisions. It helps identify which patients are most likely to benefit from radiotherapy, and which can safely avoid it.
The team enrolled 592 women across eight European countries with (high-) intermediate-risk endometrial cancer.
The results, presented at the ongoing ESTRO 2025, the annual congress of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) in Vienna, Austria, highlights that molecular profiling helps tailor radiotherapy decisions based on individual tumour characteristics.