Research Article

Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients

Number: 1 May 8, 2026
TR EN

Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of preoperative computed tomography (CT) using a short-axis diameter threshold of ≥10 mm for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with endometrial cancer. Material and Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 408 patients with endometrial cancer who underwent primary surgical treatment with sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and/or systematic lymphadenectomy. Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans were reviewed, and lymph nodes with a short-axis diameter ≥10 mm were considered positive. Pathological LNM was defined as metastatic involvement in SLN and/or lymphadenectomy specimens. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Results: Pathological LNM was identified in 36 patients (8.8%). CT detected lymph node enlargement (≥10 mm) in 39 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of CT for detecting LNM were 50.0% and 94.4%, respectively. PPV was 46.2%, NPV was 95.1%, and overall diagnostic accuracy was 90.5%. CT positivity was significantly associated with pathological LNM (OR 16.7, 95% CI: 8.1–34.3, p < 0.001). However, 18 patients with LNM (50%) had no radiologically enlarged lymph nodes on CT. In multivariable analysis, CT positivity remained independently associated with LNM after adjustment for LVSI and histological type (adjusted OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.10–7.29, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Preoperative CT using a ≥10 mm short-axis criterion demonstrates high specificity and negative predictive value but limited sensitivity for detecting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer. While CT positivity markedly increases the likelihood of nodal metastasis, a negative CT does not reliably exclude microscopic disease. Therefore, surgical nodal assessment strategies should not rely solely on CT findings.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

Project Number

2023-447

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Etlik City Hospital Ethics Committee (Approval No: AEŞH-EK1-2023-447, 09/08/2023)

Thanks

None

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 8, 2026

Submission Date

January 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

APA
Oncu, H. N., Ege, G., Öztürk, N., Köksal, O. K., Baydemir, Ş. K., Duran Kaymak, S., Turhan, B., Hanedan, C., & Korkmaz, V. (2026). Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, 1. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1856845
AMA
1.Oncu HN, Ege G, Öztürk N, et al. Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients. TJCL. 2026;(1). doi:10.18663/tjcl.1856845
Chicago
Oncu, Hande Nur, Gökçen Ege, Neslihan Öztürk, et al. 2026. “Diagnostic Performance of Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Endometrial Cancer: A Single-Center Study of 408 Patients”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, no. 1. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1856845.
EndNote
Oncu HN, Ege G, Öztürk N, Köksal OK, Baydemir ŞK, Duran Kaymak S, Turhan B, Hanedan C, Korkmaz V (May 1, 2026) Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 1
IEEE
[1]H. N. Oncu et al., “Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients”, TJCL, no. 1, May 2026, doi: 10.18663/tjcl.1856845.
ISNAD
Oncu, Hande Nur - Ege, Gökçen - Öztürk, Neslihan - Köksal, Oğuz Kaan - Baydemir, Şahin Kaan - Duran Kaymak, Sümeyya - Turhan, Berna - Hanedan, Candost - Korkmaz, Vakkas. “Diagnostic Performance of Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Endometrial Cancer: A Single-Center Study of 408 Patients”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory. 1 (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1856845.
JAMA
1.Oncu HN, Ege G, Öztürk N, Köksal OK, Baydemir ŞK, Duran Kaymak S, Turhan B, Hanedan C, Korkmaz V. Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients. TJCL. 2026. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1856845.
MLA
Oncu, Hande Nur, et al. “Diagnostic Performance of Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Endometrial Cancer: A Single-Center Study of 408 Patients”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, no. 1, May 2026, doi:10.18663/tjcl.1856845.
Vancouver
1.Hande Nur Oncu, Gökçen Ege, Neslihan Öztürk, Oğuz Kaan Köksal, Şahin Kaan Baydemir, Sümeyya Duran Kaymak, Berna Turhan, Candost Hanedan, Vakkas Korkmaz. Diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in predicting lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer: a single-center study of 408 patients. TJCL. 2026 May 1;(1). doi:10.18663/tjcl.1856845