Radiation therapy for pelvic lymph node metastasis from uterine cervical cancer

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiation therapy for pelvic lymph node metastasis from uterine cervical cancer and identify an optimal radiation regimen.

Methods

A total of 111 metastatic pelvic lymph nodes, ranging from 11 to 56 mm (median, 25 mm) on CT/MRI, in 62 patients with uterine cervical cancer were treated initially with curative radiation therapy, with 46 patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy. Total radiation doses ranged from 45 to 61.2 Gy (median, 50.4 Gy) in 1.8–2 Gy (median, 1.8 Gy) fractions.

Results

At a median follow-up of 33 months, 46 of the 62 patients survived. Only 2 irradiated lymph nodes, 24 and 28 mm in diameter, in 1 patient progressed after irradiation alone with 50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions. All 33 metastatic lymph nodes ≥ 30 mm in diameter were controlled by irradiation at a median dose of 55.8 Gy. The 3-year lymph node-progression free rates were 98.2% in all 62 patients and 98.0% in all 111 metastatic lymph nodes. Except for transient hematologic reactions, 2 patients developed grade ≥ 3 therapy-related toxicities, 1 with an ulcer and the other with perforation of the sigmoid colon. In addition, 2 patients experienced ileus after irradiation.

Conclusions

Radiation therapy effectively controlled pelvic lymph node metastases in patients with uterine cervical cancer, with most nodes < 24 mm in diameter controlled by total doses of 50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions and larger nodes controlled by 55.8 Gy, particularly with concurrent chemotherapy. Higher doses to metastatic lymph nodes may increase intestinal toxicities.     

Effect of radiotherapy on pelvic lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer stages IB2–IVA: a retrospective analysis of two comparative series

Efficiency of radiotherapy in controlling lymph node metastasis is a controversial issue. A continuous series of 87 patients affected by cervical cancer stages IB2-IVA and treated using pelvic radiotherapy is presented. A retrospective comparison is made between two populations. In the two populations, a staging lymphadenectomy was carried out before the onset of the therapeutic program. In the first population (53 patients), the pelvic nodes only were dissected and in the second one (34 patients), the pelvic lymph nodes were left in place and the paraaortic nodes only were dissected. In both series, a completion surgery was performed after finalization of the radiotherapy. It was carried out at open abdomen in both series. It included a systematic pelvic dissection for the patients whose pelvic nodes had been intentionally left in place at the time of the initial staging lymphadenectomy. Both series were identical as far as classic risk factors were concerned (FIGO stage, maximal tumor diameter, lymphovascular space involvement). The radiotherapy administered to the pelvis was the same in both populations. The number of patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis was 21 (39.6%) in the first population versus 6 (17.6%) in the second one (P = 0.03). The percentage of positive lymph nodes among the retrieved lymph nodes was 18.94 in the first population versus 2.8 in the second one (P = 0.0001). Pelvic radiotherapy is likely to control most of the pelvic lymph node metastasis, but not all of them. Practical deductions and further developments are discussed.     

Laparoscopic abdominal staging in locally advanced cervical cancer

Benedetti-Panici P, Maneschi F, Cutillo G, Congiu M, Franchi M, Amoroso M, Greggi S, Mancuso S. Laparoscopic abdominal staging in locally advanced cervical cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 1999; 9: 194–197.
In order to determine patterns of peritoneal spread in locally advanced cervical cancer, 59 patients with previously untreated stages IB and IIA tumor size > 4 cm, IIB, III and IVA cervical cancer were considered for laparoscopic abdominal staging. Fifty-six patients (95%) were considered suitable and underwent laparoscopy. Peritoneal spread was found in 15 (27%) patients. The location was pelvic in nine (17%), extra-pelvic in one (2%), both pelvic and extra-pelvic in four (8%). Peritoneal washing was positive in five (9%) patients, being the unique site of peritoneal spread in one. Overall, 16 (29%) patients had evidence of abdominal disease. The median number of positive sites was one (range 1–4); uterine serosa was positive in nine (17%) patients, pre-vesical peritoneum in seven (13%), Douglas peritoneum in five (10%), paracolic gutter in three (6%), adnexa and omentum in two (4%), and sigmoid serosa in one (2%) patient. One operative complication occurred and all patients were discharged the day after the procedure. To date, with a median follow-up of 27 months (range 7–38), no metastasis has been detected at the trocar insertion sites. To summarize, laparoscopic staging in locally advanced cervical cancer is a safe, feasible and simple technique which is able to accurately detect abdominal disease.     

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix metastatic to lymph nodes

OBJECTIVE: We set out to evaluate the prognostic factors in cervical adenocarcinoma metastatic to lymph nodes. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of 40 patients with cervical adenocarcinoma and lymph node metastasis from 1976 to 1996. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had adenocarcinoma, and six had adenosquamous carcinoma. Median survival was 50 months. The median survival for patients with stage I disease was 69 months. Stage at diagnosis, treatment with radical hysterectomy, and receiving adjuvant therapy were associated with prolonged survival. A trend toward improved survival was noted with the use of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy as an adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma metastatic to the lymph nodes does not have a uniformly poor prognosis, especially with early-stage disease. Improved survival was observed with the use of adjuvant therapy, specifically the use of combined chemotherapy and radiation after radical hysterectomy. The optimal therapy in this setting is yet to be determined. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:1131-7.)     

早期宫颈癌淋巴结转移规律的临床研究

目的 研究早期宫颈癌盆腔淋巴结转移的危险因素及规律,为其选择性淋巴结切除术和术后个性化放疗临床靶体积(clinical target volume,CTV)的勾画提供依据.方法 回顾性分析2009年1月至2015年12月湖南省肿瘤医院收治的7472例接受宫颈癌根治术的早期(Ⅰ A1～ⅡA2)宫颈癌患者的临床资料.结果 ...     

Analysis of clinicopathologic factors predicting para-aortic lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer

The purposes of this study were to compare the relationships between para-aortic lymph node metastasis and various clinicopathologic factors to evaluate whether para-aortic lymph node dissection is necessary when treating endometrial cancer. A retrospective study was performed on 841 patients with endometrial cancer, who underwent the initial surgery at the Keio University Hospital. Clinicopathologic factors related to para-aortic lymph node metastasis significant on a univariate analysis were analyzed in a multivariate fashion using a logistic model. According to the multivariate analysis, the clinicopathologic factor most strongly related to the existence of para-aortic lymph node metastasis was positive pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). Among the 155 patients who underwent pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, the difference of 5-year overall survival by the presence of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis was examined by Kaplan-Meier method. The prognosis was poor even if para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed in cases of positive para-aortic lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, when deciding whether to perform para-aortic lymph node dissection in patients with endometrial cancer, it is necessary to consider the pelvic lymph nodal status. If there is no pelvic lymph node metastasis, it could not be necessary to perform para-aortic lymph node dissection.     

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen: pretreatment levels as an indicator of advanced or metastatic disease

Pretreatment values of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) were obtained in 100 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix presenting to the Regional Gynaecological Oncology Centre in Gateshead, UK. Nine patients deemed to have locally advanced disease not suitable for primary surgery had elevated levels. Ninety-one patients were suitable for primary surgery. Sixty-seven had normal SCC levels, two of which had lymph node metastases. Twenty-four had elevated SCC levels, 14 of which had lymph node metastases. Two early recurrences have been detected in the raised SCC group where no lymph node metastases were present. Elevated levels of SCC in the pretreatment assessment indicate a high risk of lymph node metastases and of developing recurrent disease after primary surgery.     

前哨淋巴结检测对预测早期子宫颈癌淋巴转移的价值

目的 评价早期宫颈癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)检测的临床价值。方法 选择早期宫颈癌(临床分期Ⅰa-Ⅱa期)患者28例,于术前约18h,分别于宫颈10点及2点处黏膜下注射37MBq(0．4ml)的放射性核素——^99mTc标记的右旋糖酐(^99mTc—DX),即刻行淋巴核素显像。次日行广泛性子宫切除及盆腔淋巴清扫术。手术标本随即行γ探测仪体外探测识别SLN,解剖出SLN后单独送检,病理检查结果与非前哨淋巴结(NSLN)进行比较。结果 28例患者中27例(96％)识别出SLN。手术标本共取得814枚淋巴结,其中123枚为SLN。SLN集中分布于盆腔的髂内、外血管周围及闭孔区。6例(21％)发现盆腔淋巴结转移,共11枚转移淋巴结均为SLN,无假阴性情况出现。结论 SLN对宫颈癌盆腔淋巴结转移具有预测性,临床应用价值尚待进一步探讨。     

早期子宫颈癌宫旁淋巴结的识别及其临床意义

目的探讨早期子宫颈癌患者宫旁淋巴结(PLN)存在与否及其分布、转移规律,进而评估以生物染料法(亚甲蓝染色)结合标本的局部解剖识别 PLN 的临床价值。方法选择接受广泛性子宫切除+盆腔淋巴清扫术治疗的早期子宫颈癌(临床分期Ⅰb～Ⅱa期)患者60例,术前在肿瘤周围的宫颈组织内注射1%亚甲蓝4 ml,术中检查有蓝染的淋巴结为前哨淋巴结(SLN)。术后立刻对切除的子宫标本进行局部解剖,从宫旁软组织中分离出 PLN 送病理检查。结果 60例患者中,38例(63%)患者存在 PLN,共检出 PLN 95枚,PLN 的平均直径为(0.46±0.24)cm。其中,57枚(60%)PLN 位于阔韧带内,沿子宫动脉走向分布;另38枚(40%)分布于主韧带、骶韧带及膀胱宫颈韧带内。95枚 PLN 中,69枚(73%)因被亚甲蓝染色而易于识别,并被认定为宫旁组织内的 SLN。60例患者中,12例(20%)患者共17枚 PLN 有转移,其中2例(3%)PLN 是惟一的转移部位。对于78枚无转移的 PLN 中的36枚进行连续切片及免疫组化染色检查发现,3枚有微小转移灶。结论 PLN 存在于大部分宫颈癌患者的宫旁组织内,且为肿瘤转移的好发部位,但极易被忽视。采用生物染料法结合细致的局部解剖可识别 PLN。     

Prospective evaluation of FDG-PET for detecting pelvic and para-aortic lymph node metastasis in uterine corpus cancer

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) for detecting pelvic and para-aortic lymph node metastasis in patients with uterine corpus carcinoma before surgical staging. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed FIGO grade 2 or 3 endometrioid, papillary serous, or clear cell adenocarcinoma or uterine corpus sarcoma scheduled for surgical staging, including bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, were eligible. PET was performed within 30 days of surgery and interpreted independently by two nuclear medicine physicians. The imaging, operative, and pathologic findings for each patient and each nodal site were compared, and the sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET in predicting nodal metastasis were determined. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent FDG-PET before surgical staging. One patient found to have ovarian carcinoma on final pathology was excluded. Of the 19 primary intrauterine tumors, 16 (84%) exhibited increased FDG uptake. One patient did not undergo lymphadenectomy; her chest CT was suspicious for metastatic disease and FDG-PET showed uptake in multiple nodal and pulmonary foci. Metastatic disease was confirmed by percutaneous nodal biopsy. A total of three pathologically positive nodes were found in 2 of the 18 patients (11%). FDG-PET predicted that 3 patients would have positive lymph nodes (2 true positive and 1 false positive). Analyzed by lymph node regions, FDG-PET had 60% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The sensitivity and specificity by individual patient were 67% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET is only moderately sensitive in predicting lymph node metastasis pre-operatively in patients with endometrial cancer. This imaging modality should not replace lymphadenectomy, but may be helpful for patients in whom lymphadenectomy cannot be, or was not, performed.     

Do the pelvic lymph nodes predict the parametrial status in cervical cancer stages IB–IIA?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the pelvic lymph nodes would predict the parametrial status in patients with cervical cancer stages IB1-IIA submitted to radical surgery and pelvic lymphadenectomy. To this end, we evaluated the relationship between positive and negative pelvic lymph nodes and their parametria. Our final purpose was to use this information to recommend the tailoring of the parametrial resection according to the status of pelvic lymph nodes to decrease the morbidity related with radical paratrectomy. From January 1996 to December 2001, 107 consecutive patients with cervical cancer stages IB1 and IIA were primarily treated by radical hysterectomy type III with systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy in a prospective study. Parametria were studied in two sections: the first included the tissue adjacent to the cervix, and the second the distal 2/3. Lymph nodes were routinary processed. Twenty-two patients (20.6%) had positive pelvic nodes and 16 patients (14.9%) had parametrial involvement, mostly by direct extension. Eight patients with positive pelvic nodes (36.4%) had parametrial involvement, whereas among 85 patients with negative pelvic nodes only eight patients (9.4%) had parametrial involvement (P < 0.001), most in internal parametria (62.5%). The sensitivity of pelvic lymph nodes for parametrial involvement was 50% and the positive predictive value was 36.4%, whereas the specificity was 84.6%; and the negative predictive value 90.6%. In the group of negative pelvic lymph nodes, only two patients (2.3%) had parametrial involvement beyond internal parametria. The univariated and multivariated analysis of prognostic factors was always significant but without a significant independent factor for positive parametria. Pelvic lymph nodes appear as good predictors of parametrial status, especially in node-negative patients, and could be used to decrease the paratrectomy in radical surgery.     

Lymph node size in uterine cancer: a revisit

To study whether lymph node size is a good predictor of lymph node metastasis in uterine cancer, we reviewed the pathologic sections of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node removed from uterine cancer patients who underwent surgical staging in our institution from January 1994 to December 2004. The long axis of each individual node was measured. Out of 4280 total nodes obtained (178 cases), 86 nodes (28 cases) were positive for metastatic cancer (2.0% of total nodes or 15.7% of cases). Among the positive nodes, 11 nodes (12.8%) had nodal long axis <5 mm, 34 nodes (39.5%) had long axis of 5-9 mm, and 32 (37.2%) and 9 nodes (10.5%) had long axes of 10-19 mm and >20 mm, respectively. More than half (52.3%) of these positive nodal long axes were less than 10 mm. At lymph node size of 10 mm that was the common point of reference for pathologic enlargement, the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of lymph node to predict metastatic cancer were 47.7%, 76.7%, 98.6%, and 4.0%, respectively. From these findings, we tended to conclude that lymph node size is not a good predictor of lymph node metastasis in uterine cancer.     

Identification of prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer and supraclavicular lymph node recurrence

Objective

Patients with cervical cancer and supraclavicular lymph nodes (SLN) recurrence have a poor but heterogeneous prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify potential prognostic factors – including FDG-PET results – that may affect survival and treatment outcomes in patients with this group of patients.

Methods

Between January 2001 and December 2008, we identified a total of 31 consecutive patients with cervical cancer who had evidence of SLN recurrence. All participants underwent FDG-PET. Survival was measured from the date of documented SLN recurrence. The latency period was defined as the length of time from the date of first diagnosis to the date of SLN recurrence.

Results

The median follow-up time was 22.8 months (range: 4.7–105.1). The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 41% and 27.3%, respectively. Patients with intermediate SUV values (between 4.3 and 8) had a significantly better prognosis than subjects with both high (> 8) or low (< 4.3) SUV values (p = 0.004). Latency period < 2 years, SCC-Ag levels ≥ 4 ng/mL, recurrence extend beyond SLN, and SUV of < 4.3 > 8 were significant adverse prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of patients carrying 0–1 adverse prognostic factors was 90% (low-risk group), while 3-year OS rates for intermediate-risk group (2 factors) and high-risk group (3–4 factors) were 30% and 0%, respectively (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results justify the use of PET (accurate extent of relapse and SUV) as a prognostic tool in patients with cervical cancer and SLN recurrence.     

术前SCC-Ag对早期宫颈鳞癌盆腔淋巴结转移预测价值研究

目的 探索鳞状细胞癌抗原(SCC-Ag)对宫颈鳞癌盆腔淋巴结转移的预测价值.方法 回顾性分析2007年1月至2017年1月于南充市中心医院接受初始治疗为根治性手术的603例早期宫颈鳞癌患者.统计学比较其临床病理特征,并采用Logistic回归分析影响盆腔淋巴结转移的危险因素,绘制ROC曲线确定SCC-Ag 预测盆腔淋巴...     

Pattern of lymph node metastasis and the optimal extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy in FIGO stage IB cervical cancer

AIM: To evaluate the distribution pattern of lymph node metastasis and to determine the optimal extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy (LA) in FIGO stage IB cervical cancer. METHODS: The medical records of 187 patients with FIGO stage IB cervical cancer from March 1996 to December 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. The distribution pattern and risk factors of lymph node metastases were analyzed in 31 patients with lymph node metastases confirmed surgically. One hundred patients, who underwent type III hysterectomy with pelvic LA but did not receive any adjuvant treatment, were analyzed to evaluate whether the extent of LA affected the prognosis of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer. Type I LA included the external iliac nodes, hypogastric nodes, obturator nodes, and parametrial nodes. Type II LA included the pelvic nodes described in type I LA, the common iliac nodes, gluteal nodes, deep inguinal nodes and sometimes the presacral nodes. RESULTS: Solitary lymph node metastasis confined to one node group was seen in the obturator, external iliac or hypogastric lymph nodes. All patients with lymph node metastases at multiple sites had metastasis in at least one of these lymph-node groups. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival and overall survival in patients without pathologic high-risk factors according to the type of pelvic LA. CONCLUSION: The extent of LA should be adjusted to reduce complications and not to affect adversely the prognosis of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer patients without pathologic high-risk factors.