Microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IA)

In 1985 the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) subdivided Stage IA cervical cancer and specified metric criteria to demarcate Stage IA from Stage IB. Early stromal invasion (Stage IA1) denotes the first invasive protrusions of a carcinoma in situ into the stroma. Microcarcinomas (Stage IA2) are small cancers a number of orders of magnitude larger than Stage IA1 lesions and with a maximum depth of invasion of 5 mm and a maximum horizontal spread of 7 mm; larger lesions are classified as Stage IB. This study reviews 486 patients previously classified as having Stage IA disease. This yielded 344 Stage IA1 and 101 Stage IA2 lesions; 41 cancers were reclassified as Stage IB. Three hundred nine, 89, and 38 patients were followed for greater than or equal to 5 years. One (0.3%) patient with Stage IA1 disease re-presented with Stage IIB disease 12 years after conization. Five (5.6%) patients with Stage IA2 lesions developed invasive recurrences; three died. None of the 38 patients reclassified as having a Stage IB lesion, including 16 who were treated conservatively, developed a recurrence. The FIGO classification is not a guideline for treatment. Stage IA1 lesions can be treated conservatively, but treatment in Stage IA2 must be individualized. Risk factors such as vascular space involvement and confluency are of high sensitivity but low specificity.     

Invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix in women age 25 or less

The incidence of cervix cancer in young women appears to be increasing. However, the influence of young age on prognosis remains unknown. There is almost no information on the prognosis of very young women, age 25 years or less, with invasive cervical carcinoma. From April 1969 to June 1987, 40/2195 (1.8%) patients, age 25 years or less, with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix were diagnosed, staged, and treated at our institution. Median age was 24.7 years (range 20.7 to 25.9 years). Distribution by FIGO stage was: Stage IA 7 (18%), Stage IB 23 (58%), Stage II 4 (10%), Stage III 4 (10%), and Stage IVA 2 (4%). Thirty-four (85%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma and six (15%) had adenocarcinoma. Treatment consisted of radical hysterectomy for all Stage IA patients, radical hysterectomy with or without bilateral pelvic node dissection for the 12 early Stage IB patients, and radiation with or without surgery for the remaining 11 Stage IB patients and all Stage II-IVA patients. Median follow-up was 122 months (range 13.2-190.6 months). Five-year disease-free survival rates were: Stage IA 100%; Stage IB 54.8%; and Stage II-IVA 13.7%. Five-year disease-free survival for the Stage IB patients with squamous cell carcinoma age 25 years or less was 64.7%, compared with 83% for women of all ages with Stage IB squamous histology treated at our institution. Seven of 23 Stage IB patients suffered regional recurrence only, one a local recurrence only, one a distant recurrence only, and one a combined recurrence. Seventy-five percent of these patients presented with Stage I disease; however, one-third died from their disease. The major site of failure was in the pelvis only. This, coupled with the low risk of long-term serious complications, suggests that more aggressive pelvic therapy may result in improved disease-free survival.     

Laparoscopic vaginal radical trachelectomy: a treatment to preserve the fertility of cervical carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND: Cervical carcinoma occurs frequently in young women who would like to preserve their childbearing potential. For those with early stage invasive lesions, the authors designed and performed radical trachelectomy, a surgical procedure that preserves the functions of the uterus. METHODS: Radical trachelectomy combines laparoscopic (for pelvic lymphadenectomy) and transvaginal approaches. Between April 1987 and December 1996, 56 patients were scheduled for this procedure, and 47 underwent it. The charts of these patients were retrospectively reviewed for medical and obstetric history, characteristics and complications of surgical procedures, pathologic findings, postoperative obstetric results, and cancer recurrences. RESULTS: The mean durations of the laparoscopic and vaginal steps of the procedure were 62 and 67 minutes, respectively. One intraoperative complication (cystotomy) and seven postoperative complications (drainage of pelvic collection) were observed. The pathologic tumor classification was International Union Against Cancer (UICC) pT1a1 (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] Stage pIA1) in 5 cases, UICC pT1a2 (FIGO Stage pIA2) in 13 cases, UICC pT1b (FIGO Stage pIB) in 25 cases, UICC pT2a (FIGO Stage pIA2) in 1 case, and UICC pT2b (FIGO pIIB) in 3 cases. The mean follow-up was 52 months. Two recurrences (4%) were observed (one lateropelvic and one distant), and one patient died of disease progression. Despite a 25% rate of late miscarriages, 13 normal children were born after radical trachelectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In young patients affected by early invasive cervical carcinoma, radical trachelectomy does not appear to increase the rate of recurrence. It carries a relative risk of infertility and late miscarriage but makes it possible for some patients to become pregnant and give birth to normal newborns. Thus, it seems reasonable to offer this procedure in selected cases, provided that each patient is fully informed and the surgeon properly trained.     

Carcinoma of the uterine cervix stage IB and early stage II. Prognostic value of the histological tumor regression after initial brachytherapy

In our center limited centro pelvic invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix (less than 4 cm) are treated with brachytherapy and surgery. With these therapeutic modalities no residual carcinoma was observed for 80% of the patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our results with this treatment, and to evaluate the prognostic value of the pathological status of the cervix. From 1976 to 1987 we have treated 115 patients with these modalities. Staging system used was the FIGO classification modified for Stage II (divided in early Stage II and late Stage II). Patients were Stage IB (70 cases) and early Stage II (45 cases); 60 Gy were delivered with utero vaginal brachytherapy before any treatment. Six weeks later a radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Twenty-one patients with positive nodes received a pelvic radiotherapy (45 to 55 Gy). Local control rate was 97% (100% for Stage IB and 93% for early Stage II). Uncorrected 10-year actuarial survival rate was 96% for Stage IB and 80% for early Stage II patients. No treatment failure was observed for Stage IB patients. Ninety-two patients (80%) had no residual carcinoma in the cervix (group 1) and 23 patients (20%) had a residual tumor (group 2). The sterilization rate of the cervix was 87% for Stage IB tumors versus 69% for early Stage II, and was 82% for N- patients versus 68% for N+ patients. Ten year actuarial survival rate was 92% for group 1 and 78% for group 2 (p = 0, 1). Grade 3 complications rate was 6%. We conclude that brachytherapy + surgery is a safe treatment for limited centro pelvic carcinomas of the uterine cervix (especially Stage IB) and that pathological status of the cervix after brachytherapy is not a prognostic factor.     

Early cervical cancer

Opinion statement Early cervical cancer includes a broad range of disease, from clinically undetectable microinvasive cancer to large, bulky tumors that replace the entire cervix. Further subgrouping of this category is therefore necessary to define the optimal treatment approach for individual cases. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system stratifies stage I tumors into two broad categories, stage IA (microinvasive) and stage IB (gross tumor). Management of women with stage IA disease is controversial. In the United States, patients with stromal invasion of less than 3 mm and no lymphvascular involvement are usually treated conservatively with simple hysterectomy. In selected patients who desire fertility, cone biopsy with negative surgical margins is also considered. Patients with invasion of more than 3 mm or lymphvascular space involvement are at risk for pelvic lymph node metastasis and are most often treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Stage IB1 cervical cancer is managed by either radical surgery or radiotherapy with equivalent recurrence and survival rates. In patients with tumors less than 4 cm in diameter, the decision between radical surgery and radiotherapy is guided by patients’ overall health and treatment preferences. For younger women, radical surgery is preferred because ovarian function can be preserved and vaginal stenosis secondary to radiation can be avoided. Radiation therapy is preferred for women who may not tolerate radical surgery. We always prefer primary radiation therapy for patients with tumors larger than 4 cm in diameter. Recent data convincingly demonstrate that the addition of cisplatin-based chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival rates in cervical cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy.     

Microinvasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma in Slovenia during the period 2001–2007

Background

Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (MISCC) comprises a significant portion of all cervical cancers in Slovenia. Criteria of carcinomatous invasion are well described in the literature, however histopathological assessment of MISCC is difficult, because morphological characteristics can overlap with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) and other pathological changes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the reliability of the histopathological diagnosis of MISCC in Slovenia during the period from 2001 to 2007.

Materials and methods.

Data on patients with a histopathological diagnosis of cervical MISCC (FIGO stage IA) in the period of 2001 to 2007 were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Slovenia. Histological slides were obtained from the majority of pathology laboratories in Slovenia. We received 250 cases (69% of all MISCC) for the review; 30 control cases with CIN 3 and invasive squamous cell carcinoma FIGO stage IB were intermixed. The slides were coded and reviewed.

Results

Among 250 cases originally diagnosed as MISCC, there was an agreement with MISCC diagnosis in 184 (73.6%) cases (of these 179/184 (97.3%) cases were FIGO stage IA1 and 5/184 (2.7%) cases were FIGO stage IA2). Among 179 FIGO stage IA1 cases 117 (65.4%) showed only early stromal invasion.

Conclusions

The retrospective review of cases diagnosed as MISCC during the period 2001–2007 in Slovenia showed a considerable number of overdiagnosed cases. Amongst cases with MISCC confirmed on review, there was a significant proportion with early stromal invasion (depth of invasion less than 1 mm).     

腹腔镜手术在早期宫颈癌治疗中的应用观察

目的探讨腹腔镜在早期宫颈癌患者行子宫广泛切除术＋盆腔淋巴结清扫术中的应用价值。方法入组55例早期宫颈癌患者,随机分为2组,分别行腹腔镜辅助下（28例）和开腹（27例）广泛子宫切除术＋盆腔淋巴结清扫术,比较2组的术中和术后情况。结果腹腔镜组手术时间、术中出血量、切除淋巴结个数、术后排气时间、下床活动时间、术后住院时间、术后病发生率等方面均优于开腹组（P〈0.05）。结论对于早期宫颈癌,腹腔镜辅助下广泛子宫切除术＋盆腔淋巴结清扫术近期疗效较好,值得临床推广应用。     

Fertility-sparing surgery in early-stage cervical cancer: indications and applications

This article describes the surgical and pathologic findings of fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy using a standardized surgical technique, and reports the rate of posttrachelectomy outcomes. The authors analyzed a prospectively maintained database of all patients with FIGO stage IA1-IB1 cervical cancer admitted to the operating room for planned fertility-sparing radical abdominal trachelectomy. Sentinel node mapping was performed through cervical injection. Between November 2001 and May 2010, 98 consecutive patients with FIGO stage IA1-IB1 cervical cancer and a median age of 32 years (range, 6-45 years) underwent a fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy. The most common histology was adenocarcinoma in 54 patients (55%) and squamous carcinoma in 42 (43%). Lymph-vascular invasion was seen in 38 patients (39%). FIGO stages included IA1 (with lymph-vascular invasion) in 10 patients (10%), IA2 in 9 (9%), and IB1 in 79 (81%). Only 15 (15%) needed immediate completion radical hysterectomy because of intraoperative findings. Median number of nodes evaluated was 22 (range, 3-54), and 16 (16%) patients had positive pelvic nodes on final pathology. Final trachelectomy pathology showed no residual disease in 44 (45%) cases, dysplasia in 5 (5%), and adenocarcinoma in situ in 3 (3%). Overall, 27 (27%) patients needed hysterectomy or adjuvant pelvic radiation postoperatively. One (1%) documented recurrence was fatal at the time of this report. Cervical adenocarcinoma and lymph-vascular invasion are common features of patients selected for radical trachelectomy. Most patients can undergo the operation successfully with many having no residual invasive disease; however, nearly 27% of all selected cases will require hysterectomy or postoperative chemoradiation for oncologic reasons. Investigation into alternative fertility-sparing adjuvant therapy in patients with node-positive disease is needed.     

Stadienadaptierte Radiochemotherapie des Zervixkarzinoms nach transperitonealem laparoskopischem Staging

Cervical carcinoma is the second most common gynaecological tumor disease worldwide. Stage definition of cervical carcinoma is carried out using the FIGO classification. The most important prognostic factor in cervical carcinoma is metastasization of lymph nodes. Imaging techniques such as computer tomography and magnetic resonance tomography have an unsatisfactory sensitivity for lymph node diagnosis and metastasization of tumours is therefore often underestimated. The uncertainty of the clinical staging increases with the stage of the tumour. Pretherapeutic operative staging offers the possibility to histologically include or exclude prognostic factors such as paraaortal and/or pelvic lymph node metastases and this is why this method was included in the S2 guidelines of the Working Party for Gynaecological Oncology of the German Society for Gynaecology (AGO). The establishment and standardisation of pelvic and paraaortal laparascopic lymphadenectomy allows an exact and minimally invasive evaluation of tumour metastasization. Additionally, systematic lymphadenectomy achieves a better prognosis of patients with affected lymph nodes. This is demonstrated by our own data. After laparoscopic staging of 456 patients, 84 were selected for primary radio(chemo)therapy which was well tolerated. It has been demonstrated that systematic lymphadenectomy provides a similar degree of certainty for prognosis of both lymph node negative and positive patients. However, a better chance of survival by operative staging has not yet been demonstrated.     

Human papillomavirus and prognosis of invasive cervical cancer: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) type and prognosis of patients with invasive cervical carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB to IV cervical cancer between 1986 and 1997 while residents of three Washington State counties were included (n = 399). HPV typing was performed on paraffin-embedded tumor tissue using polymerase chain reaction methods. Patients were observed for a median of 50.8 months. Total mortality (TM) and cervical cancer-specific mortality (CCSM) were determined. Hazards ratios (HR) adjusted for age, stage, and histologic type were estimated using multivariable models. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients had HPV 18-related tumors and 210 patients had HPV 16-related tumors. Cumulative TM among patients with HPV 18-related tumors and among patients with HPV 16-related tumors were 33.7% and 27.6%, respectively; cumulative CCSM in these two groups were 26.7% and 18.1%, respectively. Compared with patients with HPV 16-related cancers, patients with HPV 18-related cancers were at increased risk for TM (HR(TM), 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 3.6) and CCSM (HR(CCSM), 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.4). The HPV18 associations were strongest for patients with FIGO stage IB or IIA disease (HR(TM), 3.1; 95% CI, 2.3 to 4.2; and HR(CCSM), 5.8; 95% CI, 3.9 to 8.7), whereas no associations were observed among patients with FIGO stage IIB to IV disease. Virtually identical associations were found in the subset of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (n = 219). CONCLUSION: HPV 18-related cervical carcinomas, particularly those diagnosed at an early stage, are associated with a poor prognosis. Elucidating the mechanism or mechanisms underlying this association could lead to new treatment approaches for patients with invasive cervical carcinoma.     

Laparoscopic sentinel lymph node procedure using a combination of patent blue and radioisotope in women with cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the feasibility of a laparoscopic sentinel lymph node (SN) procedure with combined radioisotopic and patent blue labeling in patients with cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Thirteen women (median age, 52.5 years) with cervical carcinoma (Stage Ia2 in 1 patient, Stage Ib1 in 10 patients, Stage Ib2 in 1 patient, and Stage IIa in 1 patient) underwent a laparoscopic SN procedure using an endoscopic gamma probe after both radioactive isotope and patent blue injections. After the procedure, all patients underwent complete laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy and either laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (eight patients) or the Schauta-Amreich operation (five patients). RESULTS: SNs (mean, 1.7 SNs per patient; range, 1-3 SNs per patient) were identified in 12 of 13 patients. A median of 10.5 pelvic lymph nodes per patient (range, 4-17 pelvic lymph nodes per patient) were removed. No lymph node involvement was detected in SNs with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical studies identified four metastatic SNs in two patients, with micrometastases in two SNs from the first patient and isolated tumor cells in two SNs from the second patient. No false-negative SN results were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that SN detection with a combination of radiocolloid and patent blue is feasible in patients with cervical carcinoma. The combination of laparoscopy and the SN procedure permitted minimally invasive management of early-stage disease.     

Radical hysterectomy for IB cervical cancer in a patient with aorto-femoral transposition.

We present a cervical cancer case in stage IB, according to FIGO classification, treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The 48-year-old patient had 4 years previously undergone a Y aorto-bifemoral Dallon transposition as a result of Leriche's syndrome. During the routine investigation invasive cervical cancer was diagnosed. She had radical hysterectomy of Piver III type and partial pelvic lymphadectomy. Radical hysterectomy caused no technical trouble. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was only partially possible because of hard connective tissue around the artificial vessels. This scarred region made safe preparation of the total pelvic lymphatic system impossible.     

Early cervical carcinoma: the natural history of lymph node involvement redefined on the basis of thorough parametrectomy and giant section study

BACKGROUND: Although parametrectomy is the most difficult step in the surgical treatment of cervical carcinoma and is the main cause of postoperative complications, little attention has been given to the patterns of parametrial spread. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with previously untreated cervical carcinoma (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique [FIGO] Stage IB1, 49 patients [71%]; Stage IB2, 8 patients [12%]; and Stage IIA, 12 patients [17%]; squamous, 59 patients [86%]; and adenocarcinoma, 10 patients [14%]) underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic +/- aortic lymphadenectomy. Hysterectomy specimens were processed with the giant section technique. To obtain a thorough three-dimensional assessment of the paracervical tissue, both the superficial and deep layers of the cervicovesical ligament (anterior parametrium) and the uterosacral ligament (posterior parametrium) were separated from the uterus and submitted for pathologic evaluation. After resection of the lateral parametrium with hemoclips, the lympho-fatty tissue remaining around the pudendal vessels was removed carefully and referred to as "the distal part of the lateral parametrium." RESULTS: When analyzing all the parametria, lymph nodes were present in 64 patients (93%). Clinically undetected parametrial involvement was found by pathologic examination in 15 Stage IB1 patients (31%), 5 Stage IB2 patients (63%), and 7 Stage IIA patients (58%). Metastases were found in the cardinal, cervicovesical, and sacrouterine ligaments and principally were comprised of lymph node and vascular space invasion. Twenty-five patients (36%) had pelvic lymph node metastases whereas concomitant parametrial involvement was observed in all patients. The overall 5-year survival was 91%, being higher for parametria and lymph node negative patients (100%) than for those with lymph node and/or parametrial metastases (78%). CONCLUSIONS: A three-dimensional pathologic assessment showed that subclinical parametrial spreading of the so-called "early" tumors (Stage IB-IIA) occurred in approximately 30-60% of these patients, and metastasis to the pelvic lymph nodes always was associated with parametrial disease. A better understanding of the patterns of parametrial diffusion will improve knowledge of the natural history of cervical carcinoma and in the future may influence the treatment of these patients. Furthermore, pathologic assessment of cervical carcinoma should be modified to evaluate correctly the parametrial status of each patient. The current routine pathologic evaluation of the parametria makes it very difficult to detect lymph node metastases and tumor emboli.     

Therapeutic implications of patterns of recurrence in cancer of the uterine cervix.

Five hundred twenty-six patients with invasive cervical cancer, treated at the University of Kentucky from 1964 to 1976, were followed 2--12 years after therapy. One hundred and sixty patients (31%) developed tumor recurrence. Recurrent cancer was noted with 1 year after therapy in 58% of patients and within 2 years of treatment in 76% of patients. Only 6% of patients with recurrent cervical cancer survived 3 or more years. Stage of disease, cell type, lesion size, and the presence of lymph vascular space invasion by tumor cells were all shown to be prognostically significant. The addition of extrafascial hysterectomy to radiation therapy significantly decreased the incidence of recurrence in stage IB cervical tumors 5 cm or more in diameter. Analysis of this data suggests that radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy is as effective as irradiation only in the treatment of large cell squamous carcinomas 2 cm or less in diameter.     

Thickness of uninvolved fibromuscular stroma and extrauterine spread of carcinoma of the uterine cervix

The minimum thickness of cervical fibromuscular stroma remaining uninvolved with invasive cervical carcinoma was examined in relation to pelvic node metastases and 5-year cancer death rate, using specimens from Stage IB, IIA, and IIB patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The nodal metastasis and 5-year cancer death rates were 7% and 8%, respectively, in patients with the uninvolved fibromuscular stroma thickness above 3 mm, and 37% and 26%, respectively, in patients with the thickness below 3 mm. The thickness of cancer-unaffected cervical fibromuscular stroma seemed to be closely related to and to be a more useful parameter of the biological behavior of invasive cervical carcinoma than the depth of the cancer invasion. A threshold value of the minimum thickness of the tissue as a barrier against extrauterine spread of cervical cancer could not be identified in this study.     

Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix.

BACKGROUND. Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix (MIC) has been poorly defined in the past and is still a focus of persistent controversy. In 1985, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) defined Stage IA as "preclinical invasive carcinoma, diagnosed by microscopy only," subdividing it into Stage IA1 or "minimal microscopic stromal invasion," and Stage IA2 or "tumor with invasive component 5 mm or less in depth taken from the base of the epithelium and 7 mm or less in horizontal spread." In 1974, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) defined MIC as any lesion with a depth of invasion of 3 mm or less from the base of the epithelium, without lymphatic or vascular space invasion. METHODS. To assess the risk of lymph node metastasis and treatment failures, pathologic material and clinical data on 370 patients with Stage I carcinoma of the cervix, who were treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic-aortic node dissection, were reviewed. Histopathologic analysis of tumors was based on a uniform format, including measurement of the maximum depth of invasion, the width and length of the horizontal tumor spread, invasive growth pattern, cell type, tumor grade, and lymphatic or vascular space involvement. RESULTS. Of the 370 patients, 110 had a depth of invasion of 5 mm or less. Of these, 54 patients fulfilled the SGO definition of MIC; 42, the new FIGO Stage IA2 definition; and 27, both definitions. None of the patients with MIC, as defined by either the SGO or the new FIGO Stage IA2, had lymph node metastases or tumor recurrence. These data support the conclusion that MIC, defined by either the SGO or FIGO definitions, have a low risk for lymph node metastasis or recurrent carcinoma. A review of the literature indicated a recurrence rate for Stage IA2 of 4.2%. In addition to depth of invasion, lymph vascular space invasion is a better predictor of lymph node metastasis and recurrence than the surface dimension. CONCLUSIONS. The authors recommend adoption of the SGO definition of MIC. Patients with a depth of invasion of 3 mm or less without lymph vascular space invasion safely can be treated conservatively.     

Combined brachytherapy and surgery for early carcinoma of the uterine cervix: analysis of extent of surgery on outcome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the survival data and rates and patterns of complications and recurrences for patients who had early uterine cervix carcinoma and underwent brachytherapy and subsequent surgery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1990 and December 1997, 192 women with cervical carcinoma (Stages IA2 with vascular invasion [n = 28], IB1 [n = 144], and IIA [n = 20]) underwent brachytherapy, delivering 60 Gy and then hysterectomy with external iliac lymphadenectomy. Piver class I, II, and III hysterectomies were performed on 136, 38, and 18 patients, respectively. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was delivered to patients with positive lymph nodes. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 61 months. After brachytherapy, a pathologically complete response (CR) was observed in 137 (71.3%) of 192 women. The distribution of CRs according to tumor stage was as follows: Stage IA2, 24 (85.7%) of 28; Stage IB1, 105 (72.9%) of 144; and Stage IIA, 8 (40%) of 20. Patients with Stage IB1 cancer had 13 lymph node metastases (9%), as did 6 with Stage IIA disease (30%). Pelvic recurrences occurred in 9 (4.6%) of the 192 patients; in 3, local relapses were associated with relapses at distant sites. Ten patients had systemic relapses (5.2%). Recurrences at distant sites were more frequent (p < 0.02) in partial responders, and other recurrences were more frequent in patients with lymph node metastases (p < 0.04). The overall 5-year disease-free survival rate was 91.2% (96.2% for Stage IA2, 91% for Stage IB1, and 84.4% for Stage IIA cancers). The class of hysterectomy did not influence the outcome. Late complications occurred in 28 patients (Grade 1, 24 [12.5%]; Grade 2, 4 [2%]; and Grade 3, 1 [0.5%] of 192 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatments resulted in high local control and low morbidity rates in patients with early-stage cervical carcinoma. Limited surgery seemed to be adequate after intracavitary therapy.     

FIGO 1988 versus 2009 staging for endometrial carcinoma: a comparative study on prediction of survival and stage distribution according to histologic subtype

Objective

The surgical staging system for endometrial carcinoma developed by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in 1988 was revised in 2009. Given the importance of continuous validation of the prognostic performance of staging systems, we analyzed the disease specific survival for patients with endometrial carcinoma using FIGO 1988 and 2009 systems. Further, the stage distribution of endometrioid and nonendometrioid carcinomas was studied.

Methods

Eight hundred twenty-one women with endometrial carcinoma were retrospectively staged using FIGO 1988 and 2009 systems.

Results

FIGO 1988 IC was associated with an inferior survival compared with IA-IB. Survival overlapped for 1988 IA and IB, for 1988 IC and IIA, and for 2009 IB and II. FIGO 2009 IA-II patients with negative peritoneal cytology had a superior survival compared with 1988 IIIA patients with positive cytology only. The survival was similar for 1988 IIIA with positive cytology only and for 2009 IIIA. Cox proportional hazards model recognized grade 3 endometrioid and nonendometrioid histology, tumor spread beyond the uterine corpus and cervix, and positive peritoneal cytology as significant predictors of death. Among 2009 IIIC substages, the proportion of IIIC2 tumors was higher for nonendometrioid than for endometrioid carcinomas (p=0.003).

Conclusion

Stage I with deep myometrial invasion and stage II endometrial carcinoma seem to have similar survival outcomes. Although positive peritoneal cytology does not alter the stage according to the FIGO 2009 system, it should be considered a poor prognostic sign. The high proportion of nonendometrioid carcinomas in the stage IIIC2 category may reflect different patterns of retroperitoneal spread among tumors with different histologic subtypes.     

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy in patients with early cervical cancer: our instruments and technique

The purpose of this study is to describe the technique of total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type III procedure) with lymphadenectomy as performed at the Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy Center of the Malzoni Medical Center, Avellino, Italy. Seventy-seven patients underwent total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type II, III) with lymphadenectomy between January 2000 and March 2008. FIGO stage included five patients Ia1 with LVSI (lymph-vascular involvement), 24 patients Ia2, and 48 patients Ib1. 60 patients underwent a class III procedure and 17 patients a class II procedure according to the Piver classification. Histological types included squamous cell carcinoma in 65 patients, adenocarcinomas in 10 patients, and adenosquamous carcinoma in two. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed up to the level of the inferior mesenteric artery in eight cases with positive pelvic lymph nodes at frozen section evaluation. Total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy can be considered a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for the management of early stage cervical cancer with a low morbidity; moreover, the laparoscopic route may offer an alternative option for patients undergoing radical hysterectomy, although multicenter studies and long-term follow-up are required to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of this procedure.