Abstract
Of 120 patients with FIGO stage IIA-IVB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with standard radiotherapeutic techniques, 41 (34.2%) relapsed with hematogenous or serosal metastases. Development of such metastases was individually associated with patient age less than or equal to 55, bilateral bulky parametrial extension, and histologically positive paraaortic nodes. Poor histologic differentiation exerted significant negative influence only in patients age less than or equal to 55. Neither surgical staging nor vascular injury predisposed to hematogenous dissemination. Radiotherapy techniques differed only in increased time to completion, from 84 to 100 days in clinical IIB and IIIB patients developing metastases. Local or regional pelvic recurrences, although associated with an increase in hematogenous or serosal metastases, were not accompanied by concomitant relapse in extrapelvic nodes. Twenty-six of 41 metastases were limited to single organ systems, with pulmonary sites most common (43.9%). A direct (non-nodal) route of hematogenous dissemination of 31% was documented within clinical stages IIA and IIB. One hundred percent concordance between bilateral bulky parametrial involvement and positive pretreatment paraaortic nodes occurred in clinical stage IIIB and IVA patients with metastatic relapse. Our data from the period 1976-1985 do not substantially differ from earlier reports on the incidence or distribution of hematogenous or serosal metastases, despite our implementation of contemporary local/regional radiotherapy prescriptions. The potential for hematogenous and serosal metastases in high-risk patients with advanced squamous cervical carcinoma merits consideration of alternative treatment protocols and precise definition of the role of pretreatment surgical staging procedures.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.