Radical Parametrectomy in Women with Invasive Cervix Cancer after Previous Simple Hysterectomy

Overview

Objective:
Evaluate technique, indications and limits of surgical procedure in the treatment of cervical cancer diagnosed from uterus specimen from simple hysterectomy.

Design:
Retrospective observational study, review of literature.

Settings:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Medical Faculty and General Faculty Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.

Methods:
Women following radical parametrectomy with upper vaginectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were enrolled to the study. In all patients unexpected invasive cervical cancer was found from the uterus specimen after simple hysterectomy.

Results:
Together 10 patients were enrolled to the study. CIN was the indication for primary hysterectomy in all but two patients. There were two operative complications, cystostomy in both cases, treated properly during surgery. In the specimen from radical procedure residual tumor in parametria was found in 2 cases, and metastasis to pelvic nodes in 4 cases. There was no postoperative complication. Adjuvant radiotherapy was recommended in 4 patients due to positive lymph nodes, in one case due to residual tumor in parametria, and in one case for both reasons.

Conclusions:
Radical parametrectomy with upper vaginectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy should be considered as an alternative solution in patients following simple hysterectomy with unexpected finding of invasive cervical cancer. Morbidity of the procedure is higher in comparison to standard radical hysterectomy, however majority of complications are easy to repair. The most significant criteria for patient’s selection for surgical approach is a depth of invasion to cervical stroma. In our group radical procedure obviated the need for radiotherapy in half of the patients.

Key words:
cervical cancer, parametrectomy, occult cervical cancer