Abstract
Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies obtained during the initial staging of patients affected by uterine cervical cancer were compared to the final histological report after surgery. Methods: Data were retrieved from published papers. Results: MRI detection of lymph node metastases shows a sensitivity of 49.3% (1209 patients) and a specificity of 87.7% (1182 patients). Parametrial involvement detection has 66.2% sensitivity (1288 patients) and 83.6% specificity (1282 patients). MRI tumor size evaluation shows significant error. Even detection of over 1 cm diameter primary tumor can fail. MRI appears promising in the detection of myometrial and endometrial involvement. Conclusions: Primary uterine cervical cancer evaluation with routine MRI has a limited accuracy especially in the detection of lymph node involvement and parametrial invasion. It is not sensitive enough to replace histology of dissected nodes and parametria. Tumor size estimation is imprecise. Detection of myometrial and endometrial invasion using MRI might be possible. Awareness of MRI limitations is crucial in primary cervical cancer staging.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies obtained during the initial staging of patients affected by uterine cervical cancer were compared to the final histological report after surgery
MRI use is encouraged for cervical cancer staging
There is a high probability of non extension to parametria if cervical integrity is observed at MRI and good indication of extension to proximal structures
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies obtained during the initial staging of patients affected by uterine cervical cancer were compared to the final histological report after surgery. Results: MRI detection of lymph node metastases shows a sensitivity of 49.3% (1209 patients) and a specificity of 87.7% (1182 patients). Conclusions: Primary uterine cervical cancer evaluation with routine MRI has a limited accuracy especially in the detection of lymph node involvement and parametrial invasion. Awareness of MRI limitations is crucial in primary cervical cancer staging. Uterine cervical cancer is the third most common gynaecologic malignancy reported in the United States [1]. FIGO staging does not include lymph node status and tends to underestimate in 20% - 30% of low stage cervical cancer patients when compared to surgical staging. About 40% of the patients receive an inaccurate preoperative staging [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
