Staging of advanced cervical carcinoma using MRI-predictors of outcome after radical radiotherapy

To assess the prognostic significance of imaging findings used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staging of cervical carcinoma by correlation with survival after radiotherapy.

MRI examinations of 99 cervical carcinoma patients were reviewed. Tumour involvement of pelvic structures was assessed. Lymph node sites, short axis diameters and signal characteristics were recorded. MRI staging was compared with clinical [International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)] staging. Univariate analysis was performed for MRI stage, clinical stage, nodal status and pelvic structure involvement against disease-specific (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

MRI staging correlated with DSS (p=0.006) and DFS (p=0.007) but clinical staging did not. Pelvic nodes > or = 10 mm and juxtaregional or distant nodes > or = 8 mm short axis were most strongly associated with survival (p=0.014, p=0.011 and p=0.001, respectively, for association with DSS). Tumour involvement of pelvic bowel loops, pelvic sidewall and bladder mucosa were significantly associated with poor DSS and DFS (p<0.05). Tumour dimensions and bladder muscle involvement alone were not associated with poor survival.

MRI staging is a better predictor of survival than clinical staging in patients receiving radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma. MRI assessment of lymph node enlargement and tumour involvement of pelvic structures gives valuable prognostic information.