Primary management of early stage cervical cancer (IA1-IB) and appropriate selection of adjuvant therapy

Cervical cancer is the third most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States but the leading gynecologic cancer worldwide. Most patients will present with clinical early-stage disease (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stage IA1-IB). These patients are a clinically heterogeneous group, and primary treatment can be either surgery or radiotherapy. Standard surgery is either radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy (stage IA2-IB2) or simple hysterectomy for microinvasive disease (stage IA1). Interest has been increasing in using conservative fertility-sparing surgery through radical trachelectomy as an option for select patients with early-stage disease who want future fertility. Primary radiotherapy is delivered as a combination of external-beam teletherapy and brachytherapy. It is given with concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy, based on 5 large randomized controlled trials that showed significant improvement in overall survival with the addition of chemotherapy. Using either radical surgery or radiation therapy in stage IB disease yields 5-year survival rates of 87% to 92%. The addition of postoperative adjuvant radiation with concurrent chemotherapy is recommended in patients with high- or intermediate-risk disease after radical hysterectomy to reduce risk for recurrence and improve progression-free survival. In select patients with stage IB2 disease with bulky tumors undergoing primary chemoradiation, adjuvant hysterectomy may provide benefit after treatment.     

The role of radical hysterectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in carcinoma of the cervix

The patient presenting with a bulky stage IB2 cervical cancer is a therapeutic challenge. None of the current surgical or radiation treatment strategies satisfactorily leads to a high rate of disease-free survival and a low risk of treatment-related complications including ovarian failure and psychosexual deficits. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may allow for reductions in tumor bulk, thereby rendering radiation therapy more effective or surgery more feasible. Impressive clinical response rates to cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been achieved with acceptable toxicity. Approximately 20% of patients achieve a complete clinical response, and many also experience a complete pathologic response. There are still too few comparative studies and phase III trials to assess the effectiveness of neoadjudvant chemotherapy and radical surgery relative to standard treatments.     

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.     

Adjuvant therapy for high-risk, early stage cervical cancer

The identification of various pathologic risk factors after primary surgical management of early stage cervical cancer portends a higher rate of relapse and decreased survival. Historical attempts to improve outcome focused mainly on the use of adjuvant pelvic radiation, with limited success overall. Analysis of patterns of failure after radical hysterectomy led to better stratification of patients into risk groups and incorporated testing of systemic agents in those considered at high risk of distant failure. Two recently reported randomized, clinical trials have greatly advanced our understanding of the role of postoperative therapy in cervix cancer. In patients with positive nodes, the use of combined adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation significantly improves relapse-free survival and overall survival, compared with radiation alone. For node-negative patients with other primary tumor risk features, pelvic radiation significantly improves relapse-free survival, compared with no further therapy. An observed improvement in survival for irradiated patients awaits statistical confirmation after maturation of the data. Further improvements in adjuvant therapy for high risk, early stage cervical cancer will come from enhanced definition of prognostic variables, better patient selection, and refinements in both local and systemic therapies.     

Survival and prognostic factors comparing stage IB 1 versus stage IB 2 cervical cancer treated with primary radical hysterectomy

This study was undertaken to compare the survival rates of stage IB 1 versus stage IB 2 cervical cancer patients and to evaluate the prognostic factors after treatment primarily with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHPL). Patients with stage IB cervical cancer undergoing primary RHPL at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 2002 and December 2009 were evaluated for survival and recurrence. Clinicopathological variables were analyzed to identify the prognostic factors affecting the survival of the patients. During the study period, RHPL was performed on 570 stage IB 1 and 110 stage IB 2 cervical cancer patients. With a median follow-up of 48 months, the 5-year disease-free survivals were 98.1% and 82.8% respectively (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified four significant prognostic factors affecting survival including sub-staging, non-squamous cell carcinoma histology, lymph node metastasis and the presence of lymph-vascular space invasion. In conclusion, with a primary radical hysterectomy, stage IB 1 cervical cancer patients have a significantly better survival rate than those with stage IB 2. Significant prognostic factors for stage IB cervical cancer include tumor histology, nodal status, and the presence of lymph-vascular space invasion.     

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical surgery versus exclusive radiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer: results from the Italian multicenter randomized study.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and radical surgery (RS) have emerged as a possible alternative to conventional radiation therapy (RT) in locally advanced cervical carcinoma. In 1990, a phase III trial was undertaken to verify such a hypothesis in terms of survival and treatment-related morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with squamous cell, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB2 to III cervical cancer were eligible for the study. They received cisplatin-based NACT followed by RS (type III to V radical hysterectomy plus systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy) (arm A) or external-beam RT (45 to 50 Gy) followed by brachyradiotherapy (20 to 30 Gy) (arm B). RESULTS: Of 441 patients randomly assigned to NACT+RS or RT, eligibility was confirmed in 210 and 199 patients, respectively. Treatment was administered according to protocol in 76% of arm A patients and 72% of arm B patients. Adjuvant treatment was delivered in 48 operated patients (29%). There was no evidence for any significant excess of severe morbidity in one of the two arms. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 58.9% and 55.4% for arm A and 44.5% and 41.3% for arm B (P =.007 and P =.02), respectively. Subgroup survival analysis shows OS and PFS rates of 64.7% and 59.7% (stage IB2-IIB, NACT+RS), 46.4% and 46.7% (stage IB2-IIB, RT) (P =.005 andP =.02), 41.6% and 41.9% (stage III, NCAT+RS), 36.7% and 36.4% (stage III, RT) (P =.36 and P =.29), respectively. Treatment had a significant impact on OS and PFS. CONCLUSION: Although significant only for the stage IB2 to IIB group, a survival benefit seems to be associated with the NACT+RS compared with conventional RT.     

Cervical cancer: combined modality therapy

Prospective, randomized studies conducted over the past 10 years have changed the management of patients with advanced cervical cancer. The reviewed studies evaluated the use of surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy in patients with various stages of cervical carcinoma in the absence and presence of high-risk factors for recurrence. A study by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) compared pelvic with pelvic plus prophylactic para-aortic irradiation in patients with stages IB (> 4 cm), IIA, and IIB cervical cancer. The 10-year survival advantage was 11% for patients treated with prophylactic para-aortic irradiation. A follow-up study compared pelvic plus prophylactic para-aortic irradiation and brachytherapy with pelvic irradiation, brachytherapy, and chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-FU in patients with IB-to IVA-stage cervical cancer. Overall and disease-free survivals were significantly improved in patients receiving chemotherapy. In patients with a prevalence of stage IIB and III, the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) demonstrated that treatment with hydroxyurea alone was inferior to cisplatin or cisplatin, 5-FU, and hydroxy-urea in patients treated concurrently with pelvic irradiation and brachytherapy, and the GOG adopted irradiation and weekly cisplatin as standard therapy. Further GOG studies suggest that irradiation and weekly cisplatin chemotherapy without hysterectomy is the optimal treatment for patients with stage IB cervical cancer. High-risk factors for recurrence include tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, and lymph node involvement. Prospective, randomized studies conducted by the GOG evaluated the effectiveness of various treatments in patients with high-risk factors. In one study that did not use chemotherapy, the recurrence-free interval was about 10% better for stage IB patients receiving postoperative irradiation after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy compared with those who received no further therapy. Patients with Stages IB and IIA disease who, following radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection, are identified as having positive pelvic lymph nodes and positive parametrial involvement, are at higher risk for recurrence and death than the high-risk group described above. An intergroup study conducted by the GOG, RTOG, and Southwest Oncology Group compared postoperative pelvic irradiation alone with postoperative pelvic irradiation plus concurrent chemotherapy in this group of patients. Overall and progression-free survivals were superior for patients receiving chemotherapy, and their greatest survival occurred in patients who received 3 or 4 chemotherapy cycles compared with 1 or 2 cycles or no chemotherapy. These findings are summarized with respect to their implications fortreatment of patients with advanced cervical cancer.     

Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation for locally advanced cervical cancer: the new standard of care

Radical pelvic irradiation has constituted the definitive therapy for patients with large cervical cancers. No substantial improvements have been made in treatment outcomes. In the past year, however, a series of large, well-conducted randomized trials has evaluated the role of concurrent chemotherapy with pelvic irradiation in cervical cancer. These trials include definitive treatment of patients with stage IB2 to IVA disease and adjuvant treatment after radical surgery in stage IB2-IIA disease. Five trials have shown a consistent 30% to 50% reduction in the risk of death from disease when concurrent chemotherapy is used. Questions still remain as to what constitutes the best chemotherapy dose and schedule. In all of the positive trials, cisplatin was used, but three also used 5-fluorouracil. The level of survival improvement that occurs when chemotherapy is added to optimal irradiation and whether patients with stage IIIB and IVA benefit are also unclear. Improvements in survival rates for patients with solid tumors occur slowly. Based on the evidence, it is likely that concurrent chemotherapy with radiation will become the new standard of care for bulky and advanced cervix cancer.     

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer

The role of chemotherapy in the management of advanced cervical cancer has been long debated. Whereas some phase II trials have shown promising results with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by irradiation, most phase III trials failed to demonstrate any benefit with this sequential treatment in terms of loco-regional control and survival, mainly because chemotherapy could cause accelerated tumor clonogen resistant cell repopulation The data on cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery appear to be more promising. This treatment modality can increase the operability rate and reduce the incidence of positive nodes and other pathological risk factors. However, very few randomized trials comparing cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy versus conventional irradiation treatment are currently available, whilst data about long-term survival of chemo-surgical-treated patients are scanty. Recently five prospective randomized trials compared concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy and irradiation versus hydroxyurea plus irradiation or irradiation alone. All showed a significant improvement in the outcome of patients treated with concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation. Based on these data, the National Cancer Institute released a Clinical Announcement stating that concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation should be the new standard of therapy for high-risk early stage and locally advanced cervical cancer. The introduction of taxanes in both neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy and concurrent chemoradiation could further improve the results of these two treatment modalities. A multicenter randomized trial comparing chemo-surgical treatment with concurrent chemoradiation is warranted to better define the optimum therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced cervical cancer.     

Randomized trial of neoadjuvant cisplatin, vincristine, bleomycin, and radical hysterectomy versus radiation therapy for bulky stage IB and IIA cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical hysterectomy with that of radiotherapy (R/T) for bulky early-stage cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with previously untreated bulky (primary tumor >/= 4 cm) stage IB or IIA non-small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were randomly assigned to receive either cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) and vincristine 1 mg/m(2) for 1 day and bleomycin 25 mg/m(2) for 3 days for three cycles followed by radical hysterectomy (NAC arm) or receive primary pelvic radiotherapy only (R/T arm). The ratio of patient allocation was 6:4 for the NAC and R/T arms. Women with enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes on image study were ineligible unless results of cytologic or histologic studies were negative. RESULTS: Of the 124 eligible patients, 68 in the NAC arm and 52 in the R/T arm could be evaluated. The median duration of follow-up was 39 months. Thirty-one percent of patients in the NAC arm and 27% in the R/T arm had relapse or persistent diseases after treatment, and 21% in each group died of disease. Estimated cumulative survival rates at 2 years were 81% for the NAC arm and 84% for the R/T arm; the 5-year rates were 70% and 61%, respectively. There were no significant differences in disease-free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSION: NAC followed by radical hysterectomy and primary R/T showed similar efficacy for bulky stage IB or IIA cervical cancer. Further study to identify patient subgroups better suited for either treatment modality and to evaluate the concurrent use of cisplatin and radiation without routine hysterectomy is necessary.     

宫颈癌IB1、IB2期的临床回顾性分析

目的 分析宫颈癌分期中ＩＢ１、ＩＢ２期的治疗结果以及淋巴结转移、宫颈间质浸润、组织分级与预后的关系。方法 ３５６例ＩＢ期宫颈癌全部行广泛性子宫切除和盆脸淋巴清除术,７２例辅以术前放疗（ＩＢ１期３９例,ＩＢ２期３３例）,８３例行术后放疗（ＩＢ１期６１例,ＩＢ２期２２列１例行术前,术后放疗（ＩＢ２期５例,ＩＢ２期６例）。结果 随访５年以上者２４９例,总的５年存活率６９．９％,ＩＢ１期为７３．３％（１８     

Modern management of locally advanced cervical carcinoma

Radiation was until recently the key and only modality for the routine treatment of locally advanced cervical carcinoma. However after years of studying multi-modality treatments as an alternative to radiation alone in randomized phase III trials, the standard treatment has changed to chemo-radiation based on cisplatin. Three recent meta-analyses have confirmed that cisplatin-based chemo-radiation adds an absolute 12% benefit in five-year survival over radiation therapy alone. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiation has not been of proven benefit, but when neoadjuvant chemotherapy is followed by surgery, an absolute increase of 15% in five-year survival over radiation alone is seen. This benefit in survival is comparable to that obtained with the current chemo-radiation schedules based on cisplatin. Despite these encouraging results there remains room for improvement as the five-year survival of patients treated with chemo-radiation ranges from nearly 80% in bulky IB tumours to only 25% in stage IVA disease. Other therapeutic approaches need to be fully evaluated including the use of chemo-radiation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy; the use of new drug combinations and the multi-modality combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery plus adjuvant chemo-radiation. Likewise, the addition of radiosensitizers to cisplatin, preoperative chemo-radiation and/or adjuvant chemotherapy may eventually improve the currents results of cisplatin-based chemo-radiation. Nevertheless, it is hard to foresee a dramatic increase in cure rate, even with the most optimal combination of cytotoxic drugs, surgery and radiation, and thus the testing of molecular targeted therapies against cervical cancer is a logical step to follow.     

Management of cervical cancer.

AIMS: The aim of the article was to review the current approach to management of cervical cancer. METHODS: The relevant literature has served as a source for review of different options applied in the management of cervical cancer. RESULTS: Treatment of invasive cervical cancer is affected by the stage of the disease, which is based on clinical evaluation. Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix has limited metastatic potential and therefore is most likely curable by non-radical treatment. There is no standard management of stage Ib-IIa cervical carcinoma. Both radical surgery and radical radiotherapy have proven to be equally effective, but differ in associated morbidity and complications. Most often, stage Ib1 cervical cancer is treated by radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy has shown similar efficacy and recurrence rates. Radical vaginal trachelectomy with laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy may be an option in small cervical cancer where preservation of fertility is desired. There is lot of conflicting published work regarding the treatment of bulky stage Ib-IIa cervical cancer. While some centers are performing primary surgery as for Ib1 disease followed by tailored postoperative radiation with or without chemotherapy, the others are in favor of primary chemo-radiation therapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery has emerged as a possible alternative, which may improve a survival in patients with stage Ib2 disease. Concomitant chemoradiation is becoming a new standard in treatment of advanced disease, because it has been clearly shown to improve disease-free, progression-free and overall survival. Management of recurrent disease depends on previous treatment, site and extent of recurrence, disease-free interval and patient's performance status. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment decisions should be individualized and based on multiple factors including the stage of the disease, age, medical condition of the patient, tumor-related factors and treatment preferences, to yield the best cure with minimum complications.     

Prognostic factors affecting the outcome of early cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy and post-operative adjuvant therapy

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical and histological features that may affect the survival of the patients and to evaluate the impact of post-operative adjuvant therapy on the outcomes of patients with stage IB and IIA carcinoma of the cervix. From August 1998 to January 2005, 140 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB and IIA cervical cancer were treated with radical hysterectomy and post-operative pelvic radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. The median age was 55 years (range, 29-86 years). Seventy-six patients had stage IB and 64 patients had stage IIA disease. Tumour size was <4 cm in 96 patients and > or = 4 cm in 44 patients. One hundred and eleven patients had histology of squamous cell carcinoma, 12 patients has adenocarcinoma and 17 patients had other histologic types. Depth of stromal invasion was <2/3 in 20 patients and > or = 2/3 in 120 patients. Twenty-three patients had parametrial invasion and 117 patients had no parametrial invasion. Thirteen patients had lymphovascular space invasion and 127 had no lymphovascular space invasion. Nine patients had positive surgical margin and 131 patients had negative margin. Twenty-seven patients had pelvic lymph node metastasis and 113 patients had no pelvic lymph node metastasis. Seventy-five patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy and 65 patients received radiotherapy alone. The 5-year overall survival (OAS) and disease-free survival were 83% and 72% respectively. In the log rank test, tumour size (P = 0.0235), pararmetrial invasion (P = 0.0121), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001) and adjuvant chemotherapy + radiotherapy (P = 0.0119) were significant prognostic factors for OAS, favouring tumour size <4 cm, absence of parametrial invasion and pelvic lymph node metastasis, and those who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The patients who received radiation with concomitant chemotherapy had a 5-year OAS rate of 90% versus those who received radiotherapy alone, with a rate of 76%. For patients with high-risk early stage cervical cancer who underwent a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy resulted in better survival than radiotherapy alone. The addition of weekly cisplatin to radiotherapy is recommended. The treatment-related morbidity is tolerable.     

The twenty-first century role of Piver-Rutledge type III radical hysterectomy and FIGO stage IA, IB1, and IB2 cervical cancer in the era of robotic surgery: a personal perspective

Type III radical hysterectomy reported in 1974 by Piver, Rutledge, and Smith is considered worldwide by many as the standard surgical therapy for invasive cervical carcinoma stage IB and IIA. With the increasing number of robotic surgeries being performed for early stage cervical cancer worldwide, the purpose of the paper is to present our personal perspective of the 21st century role of Piver-Rutledge type III radical hysterectomy for stage IB cervical cancer in the era of robotic surgery using the da Vinci robot.     

Management of recurrent cancer of the uterine cervix

In developing countries, cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in women, due in large part to lack of screening and patient education. Screening results in earlier diagnosis and intervention, but local recurrences still happen and are difficult to treat. Early-stage (IB and IIA) cervical cancer can be cured on an average rate of 80% with either radical surgery or definitive radiation; on the other hand, 30–50% of patients with stage IIB to IV will ultimately fail. The prognosis of recurrent cervical carcinoma is grim regardless of the mode of primary treatment except those with isolated small vaginal or cervical relapse for which a 5-year survival of 35–50% has been reported. These patients constitute less than 10% of all patients with recurrent cervical cancer. In the remaining patients, 5-year survival rates are between 3.2 and 13%. The treatment of this condition has a high morbidity and risk versus benefit of the treatment offered has to be weighed. Refinement in surgical techniques, addition of intraoperative radiation therapy and regional chemotherapy, has improved the outcomes in these patients. There is a lack of randomized trials in this field and the treatment is chosen according to the extent of disease, patients’ general condition and expectation and availability of surgical expertise and treatment facilities.     

Comparative study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical hysterectomy and radical surgery alone in stage IB2-IIA bulky cervical cancer

Objective

To compare the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus platinum followed by radical hysterectomy with radical surgery alone in patients with stage IB2-IIA bulky cervical cancer.

Methods

From November 1999 to September 2007, stage IB2-IIA cervical cancers with tumor diameter >4 cm, as measured by MRI, were managed with two cycles of preoperative paclitaxel and platinum. As a control group, we selected 35 patients treated with radical surgery alone.

Results

There were no significant between group differences in age, tumor size, FIGO stage, level of SCC Ag, histopathologic type and grade. Operating time, estimated blood loss, the number of lymph nodes yielded and the rate of complications were similar in the two groups. In surgical specimens, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI), nodal metastasis and parametrial involvement did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the neoadjuvant group, pathologic tumor size was significantly smaller and fewer patients had deep cervical invasion. Radiotherapy, alone and in the form of concurrent chemoradiation, was administered to more patients treated with radical surgery alone (82.9% vs. 52.9%, p=0.006). No recurrence was observed in patients who could avoid adjuvant radiotherapy owing to improved risk factors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There were no significant differences in 5-year disease free and overall survival.

Conclusion

As neoadjuvant chemotherapy would improve pathologic prognostic factors, adjuvant radiotherapy can be avoided, without worsening the prognosis, in patients with locally advanced bulky cervical cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy would be improving the quality of life after radical hysterectomy in patients with bulky cervical cancer.     

Class I versus class III radical hysterectomy in stage IB1-IIA cervical cancer. A prospective randomized study

Objective

The standard treatment for stage IB-IIA cervical cancer over the past three decades has been the Piver–Rutledge type III radical hysterectomy. This surgery implies a high rate of urologic morbidity. The objective was to determine the role of class I radical hysterectomy compared to class III radical hysterectomy in terms of morbidity, overall survival, DFS and patterns of relapse in patients undergoing primary surgery.

Materials and methods

125 patients with stage IB1 and IIA cervical cancer ≤4 cm were randomized between type I and type III hysterectomy. Clinical, pathologic and follow-up data were prospectively collected. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered when indicated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out.

Results

Sixty-two patients were randomized to class I surgery and 63 to class III. No significant differences were observed regarding pathologic findings and adjuvant treatment. Morbidity rates were higher after class III surgery (84% versus 45%). Pelvic recurrences were equal in both groups (8 cases each one). Fifteen-year overall survival rate was 90 and 74% respectively (p = 0.11) and 76 and 80% when cervical size is ≤3 cm (p = 0.88).

Conclusions

There are no significant differences in terms of both recurrence rate and overall survival among patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer undergoing simple extrafascial hysterectomy (class I) or radical hysterectomy (class III). Morbidity is proportional to the extent of radicality. These data confirm the need of tailoring the extent of resection to the characteristics of the cervical neoplasia and open new interesting pathways to upcoming protocols for the conservative management of these tumors.     

Analysis of Clinical Treatment Efficiency for 179 Geriatric Women with Stage I or II Cervical Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficiency of surgery plus radiotherapy and chemotherapy versus radiotherapy plus chemotherapy in the treatment of older patients with stage I or II cervical carcinoma and to seek suitable treatment for such patients. METHODS The clinical data of 179 elderly women with stage la or lib cervical cancer were analyzed retrospectively. One hundred and thirty-four cases underwent radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy (Group 1). Forty-five cases underwent radiation therapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy (Group 2). RESULTS The 5-year survival rates in group 1 and group 2 were 78.3% and 49.1%(P=0.04), respectively. The incidence of complications in group1 was 47.0%. Three patients died of complications after radical hysterectomy. The incidence of complications in group 2 was 75.6%. CONCLUSION Elderly patients with stage I or II cervical carcinoma should receive an operation if possible. In addition they should receive adjuvant treatments according to their personal conditions, and be treated with appropriate adjuvant chemo-and/or radiotherapy.     

Recurrence Patterns after Radical Hysterectomy in Stage IB1-IIA Cervical

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns of recurrence and its associated factorsin stage IB1-IIA cervical cancer cases after radical hysterectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the655 medical records of patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical surgery at Chiang Mai UniversityHospital between January 2003 and December 2006. All patients had a type III radical hysterectomy andcomplete systematic bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Post-operative adjuvant pelvic radiation therapy wasgiven concurrently with weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 for 6 cycles to patients with at least one major risk or twointermediate-risk factors. Sites of disease recurrence, time to relapse of disease, and postoperative overall survivalwere analyzed and all possible clinicopathological factors related to the risk of recurrence were determined.Results: The median time to recurrence was 11.5 months (range, 2-45 months). There was no significantdifferences in the mean time to recurrence between local and distant recurrence groups (14.6 ±3.9 months vs.16.2±5.3 months; p=0.632). The 3-year survival rates of patients with local and distant recurrences were 67.6%(95%CI=45.6 to 89.6%) and 39.8% (95%CI=11.8 to 67.8%), respectively (p=0.602). Tumor size was the onlyclinicopathological prognostic factor associated with overall survival. Conclusion: Patients with stage IB1-IIAcervical cancer should have close surveillance during the first two years of radical surgery. Tumor size of greaterthan 2 cm at the time of primary surgery appears to be significantly related to the prognosis of patients withrecurrence. With an understanding of the natural history of cervical cancer recurrence, an optimal methodof follow-up and prospective clinical trial for markers of metastatic potential to detect recurrence need to beconducted in the future.