Preoperative MRI criteria for trials on less radical surgery in Stage IB1 cervical cancer

The aim of this study is to identify a patient group with a low-risk of parametrial involvement (PMI) in Stage IB1 cervical cancer using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters.

In total, 190 Stage IB1 cervical cancer patients with clinically visible lesions who had undergone Type C2 radical hysterectomy and preoperative MRI were included in this study. Clinical records, pathology reports, and preoperative MRI findings were reviewed retrospectively.

Of the 190 patients, 19 (10%) had pathologic PMI. The largest tumor diameter identified by MRI ranged from zero (no definite mass on the cervix) to 60 mm, with a median of 21 mm. Patients were identified as being either low-risk (tumor size ≤25 mm and no evidence of PMI, n=127) or high-risk (tumor size >25 mm and/or findings indicating PMI, n=63) based on MRI parameters. The rate of pathologic PMI in low- and high-risk patients was 0.0% and 30.2%, respectively (P<0.001). Five-year progression-free survival in low-risk patients was 95.9%, which is significantly better than the rate of 85.6% for patients in the high-risk group (P=0.039).

Preoperative MRI parameters can help identify patients with a low-risk of PMI and, therefore, possible candidates for trials on less radical surgery.