[Usefulness of MR imaging in evaluating and predicting effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on uterine cervical...

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of MR imaging (MRI) in evaluating and predicting the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on uterine cervical carcinoma. MRI was performed before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NA-C) of systemic BOMP in 32 patients with cervical carcinoma. (1) In 8 patients who suffered from hysterectomy after NA-C, MR estimates of tumor diameter were within 5 mm of the surgical sample in all cases. In addition, MRI accurately evaluated parametrial state. (2) In 10 patients, the reduction rates after 2 courses of NA-C were compared with those after 3 courses, and no significant difference was found between them (p = 0.628). (3) Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between the response to NA-C and MR findings before NA-C such as MR staging, tumor volume, signal intensity and contrast enhancement of tumor, body invasion, total cervical replacement, hydrometra, and ascites. Analysis of variance and multiregression analysis revealed that tumor volume (p = 0.012) and body invasion (p = 0.079) were important factors in predicting the effect of NA-C on cervical carcinoma. In conclusion, MRI is useful in evaluating and predicting the effect of NA-C on uterine cervical carcinoma.