Nonsurgical Management of Neuroendocrine Cancer of the Cervix: Brief Report

The aim of this study was to evaluate disease progression and overall survival in patients diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix treated with chemotherapy and radiation without surgical intervention; we hypothesize similar overall survival to the surgical intervened cases.

This study used a retrospective analysis of patients with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix who were not surgically managed. Review was performed from 1990 to 2014. The data collected included demographics, stage of disease, and outcomes after each treatment. Specific chemotherapy regimen given and radiation dosage were reviewed. Overall survival and recurrence rates were calculated.

A total of 16 patients met inclusion criteria. Six patients were diagnosed with stage I; these patients had 83.3% 2-year overall survival, 83.3% 5-year overall survival, and a recurrence rate of 16.6%. Three patients were diagnosed with stage II; these patients had 66.6% 2-year overall survival, 0% 5-year overall survival, and a recurrence rate of 100%. Seven patients were diagnosed with stage IV; these patients had 14.3% 2-year overall survival and 0% 5-year overall survival and never underwent remission.

Our findings noted a comparable overall survival with lower rates of recurrence in patients with early-stage disease using chemotherapy and radiation therapy alone as primary means of treatment. Nonsurgical management of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix may be of benefit in early-stage disease.