A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial of Laparoscopic Pelvic and Para-Aortic Node Sampling With Vaginal Hysterectomy and BSO Versus Open Laparotomy With Pelvic and Para-Aortic Node Sampling and Abdominal Hysterectomy and BSO in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and Uterine Sarcoma, Clinical Stage I, IIA, Grade I, II, III

OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the incidence of surgical complications, peri-operative morbidity, and mortality in patients with stage I or IIa, grade I-III endometrial cancer or uterine cancer undergoing surgical staging through laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy vs total abdominal hysterectomy. II. Compare the length of hospital stay after surgery in patients receiving these treatments. III. Compare the quality of life of patients receiving these treatments. IV. Compare the incidence and location of disease recurrence in patients receiving these treatments. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. ARM I: Patients undergo vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) via laparoscopy. ARM II: Patients undergo total abdominal hysterectomy and BSO via conventional laparotomy. Patients in both arms also undergo pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, at 1, 3, and 6 weeks, and then at 6 months. Patients are followed at 6 weeks, every 3 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months for 3 years.