Multimodal Management of Locally Advanced Neuroendocrine Cervical Carcinoma: A Single Institution Experience

The aim of this study was to report our institutional experience of a multimodal approach for treatment of locally advanced high-grade neuroendocrine cervical cancer.

Patients with primary locally advanced neuroendocrine cervical cancer diagnosed between 2001 and 2014 were included. The scheduled treatment sequence was as follows: pelvic +/- para-aortic radiotherapy (according to tumor stage), associated with chemotherapy based on platine-derivate and etoposide regimen, followed with a brachytherapy boost, then completion surgery if there was no progression +/- consolidation etoposide chemotherapy (for a total of 5-6 cycles). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were reported and prognostic factors were searched.

A total of 24 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Median age was 48 (range 22-77 years). Fourteen patients (58%) had pelvic lymph node metastases. After chemoradiation/brachytherapy, a radical hysterectomy could be performed in 18 of 24 patients (75%). Histologically complete resection was achieved in 14 (78%) of 18 patients. Complete pathological response was reported in 7 (39%) of 18. With median follow-up of 29.7 months, 10 (42%) of 24 patients experienced tumor relapse, all associated with distant failure, including one local failure. The DFS and OS rates estimated at 3 years were 55% and 63%, respectively. Lymph node metastases and tumor stage were prognostic for DFS (P = 0.016 and P = 0.022, respectively). Complete resection was associated with a lower incidence of relapses, as compared with microscopically incomplete resection (P = 0.04). A total of 12 (86%) of 14 patients with histologically complete resection were in complete remission at last follow-up. Apart from manageable acute hematological toxicities, most treatment complications were mild to moderate.

This series based on a multimodal management compares favorably with previously published data. Most patients could be eligible to surgery, and complete remission was achieved in 85% of those amenable to complete resection.