Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) can be detected during routine light microscopic assessment in uterine specimen after surgery for endometrial carcinoma. Although present in a minority of... Show moreLymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) can be detected during routine light microscopic assessment in uterine specimen after surgery for endometrial carcinoma. Although present in a minority of endometrial cancinomas, the studies in this thesis have shown that substantial LVSI is a risk factor for lymph node and distant metastases, as well as disease recurrence and poor survival.Using a three-tiered scoring system for LVSI, the scoring method has proven to be robust in an interobserver study among an international panel of expert gynecopathologists. Nevertheless there was a need to sharpen the definition of “substantial” LVSI. This was done by adding supportive data to the semi-quantitative definition and subsequent validation in an independent cohort. The definition is now ready for implementation in general practice, especially since practice guidelines for LVSI assessment have been developed and LVSI has been incorporated in European clinical guidelines for management and treatment of endometrial carcinoma patients. Show less
