Peritoneal carcinomatosis after laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The risk of wound metastasis after laparoscopic management of early-stage cervical cancer is well known, but there are few data on peritoneal carcinomatosis of cervical adenocarcinoma. CASE: We report the first case of peritoneal carcinomatosis occurring in a woman with FIGO stage Ib1 cervical adenocarcinoma who underwent laparoscopic type III radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (sentinel node procedure) followed by vaginal brachytherapy. A peritoneal recurrence was diagnosed 16 months after surgery and was treated with chemotherapy and laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy for cervical adenocarcinoma may carry a risk of peritoneal dissemination.