Reduced cervical sampling of hysterectomy specimens with negative margins on conization: An opportunity to improve...

The current recommendation for hysterectomy specimens performed for cervical cancer following conization is that the entire cervix be submitted for histologic examination. Given the high cost of medical procedures and concerns regarding difficulties with laboratory staffing, we sought to evaluate the potential for selective histologic examination in this setting.

Post-conization hysterectomy cases were reviewed for the presence of residual disease in relation to the findings of the prior conization, with consideration of margin status. Residual disease was then assessed for clinical significance. The number of submitted blocks was recorded and the associated costs were estimated.

Among 32 cases with invasive carcinoma, only cases with margins positive for invasive carcinoma on the conization specimen had residual invasion in the hysterectomy (n = 7), and there were no upgrades due to subtle microscopic disease; 1 case had a change in pathologic stage from pT1b1 to pT2b due to parametrial involvement in the setting of a grossly apparent lesion. Among 20 cases performed following a diagnosis of dysplasia, none were upgraded to invasive carcinoma. Based on protocol-based submission of the entire cervix, 16 blocks of cervix were submitted on average (range, 4-41).

We estimate that representative sections from each cervical quadrant would save approximately 2 work hours for laboratory staff per case and up to 6 hours for larger cases, reducing costs for the laboratory accordingly. Selective cervical sampling in the setting of negative margins on conization provides an opportunity for improved resource utilization without compromising patient care; as this is a small study, confirmation of these findings in a larger number of cases may be warranted. Additional studies are necessary to determine what other contexts in surgical pathology could benefit from a similar reductive approach.